A recent report said there are deficiencies in a state program in Massachusetts that makes payments in lieu of taxes for state-owned lands.
State Auditor Suzanne Bump said her office’s investigation found the program disadvantages smaller rural communities.
To highlight the issues raised in the report, Bump Friday was scheduled to tour the Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation in Deerfield and Dubuque State Forest in Hawley. Members of the region’s legislative delegation were scheduled to join her.
Before the tour, Bump spoke with WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill.