Either reauthorize timber receipt payments or allow counties to engage in more timber harvesting. That’s the message that Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney took to Washington D.C. recently and shared on your town this morning on 11-10 KBND's "Your Town". The concern is that the secure rural funding program might fall under the budget axe. Baney says allowing selective thinning and harvesting could create jobs and increase forest health: “It’s really critical for us to manage those resources and make sure that we don't catch fire. It’s a public safety issue. Secure rural schools means many things to us. Not only is it the dollars that come in to help pay for roads, and for some of our schools; but it also means proper forest management practices.” In it's hey day, the secure rural school funding meant $3.2 million for Deschutes County. It has been gradually decreasing and is due to end in 2012. Right now, this program helps fund Deschutes County Road maintenance.