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January 2009 |
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| National Grange President Congratulates President Obama and Vice-President Biden |
National Grange President Ed Luttrell recently congratulated President Obama and Vice President Biden on their historic inauguration. “Our nation faces many challenges, including the current economic downturn sweeping across the nation. During their campaign, the President and Vice President made it clear that they recognized both the important role that our nation’s farming and rural communities play in our economy and the challenges that these communities face in the coming years.”
President Luttrell continued, “We appreciate the generous time that the members of the Obama Administration’s transition team has granted to us over the past few months to review our priorities.” President Luttrell urged President Obama to remember that many of the best opportunities for the sustainable creation of wealth, for the equitable distribution of prosperity, and for the promotion of family friendly lifestyles can be found in our nation’s farming and rural communities.  |
| National Grange Leaders Meet with Obama Transition Team on Agriculture and Trade Issues |
On December 11, four National Grange leaders met with members of President-Elect Barack Obama’s transition team in the offices of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, D.C.to discuss agriculture and international trade issues facing the incoming Administration. The Grange delegation included, Mr. Jimmy Gentry, Vice President of the National Grange and President of the North Carolina State Grange; Ms. Betsy Huber, Chair of the National Grange Board of Directors and President of the Pennsylvania State Grange; Mr. Joseph Fryman, a corn and soybean farmer from Blair, NE who is also Treasurer of the National Grange and President of the Nebraska State Grange; and Leroy Watson, National Grange Director of Legislative Affairs.
The Grange delegation informed the transition team representatives that the National Grange has provided counsel and support to every U.S. President since World War II on every periodic reauthorization of general farm legislation as well as every international discussion leading to multi-lateral agreements, bilateral trade agreements, and international food aid programs. The Grange delegation encouraged the new Obama Administration to seek a fair and level playing field when entering into new trade agreements to protect the critical role that U.S. agriculture plays in international markets for both commercial sales and food aid assistance.
The Grange delegation brought several specific recommendations related to agriculture and trade policies that they hope the new Obama Administration will implement early in its first term:
----The National Grange urged the new Obama Administration to quickly appoint a permanent chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to assure a strong representation of U.S. agricultural interests in all trade negotiations. However, the Grange contingency also insisted that representatives of USDA and the Department of Homeland Security should also be fully involved in all trade negotiations.
----The National Grange urged the incoming Obama Administration to make passage of “fast track” trade legislation an early legislative priority in order to provide President Obama with sufficient legal authority to negotiate effectively for a reduction in tariff and non-tariff agriculture trade barriers. These reductions will provide an additional and much needed economic stimulus to farming and rural communities. The Grange members expressed their support for the current negotiating principles set forth by the United States’ for the World Trade Organization (WTO) “Doha Round” and called on the new Obama Administration to support amendments to future WTO trade agreements that will result in swifter, more predictable and better targeted remedies to international trade disputes.
----The National Grange urged the incoming Obama Administration to adopt coordinated policies to combat trade distorting practices instituted by foreign governments as part of their “sovereign authority”, such as currency manipulation and unilateral repudiation of sovereign debt, especially in those cases where it becomes more difficult for U.S. farmers and manufacturers to sell their products in oversees markets.
----The National Grange encouraged the incoming Obama Administration to promote trade policies that are aimed at increasing local food production in developing countries, especially in areas where access to transportation and other local infrastructure make the distribution of imported food expensive, dangerous or both.
----The National Grange called on the new Obama Administration to develop and publicly articulate a consistent policy on the use of agricultural trade sanctions by the U.S. government. The Grange will support all efforts to maintain the legal sanctity of agricultural export contracts.
----Finally, The National Grange urged the Obama Administration to quickly remove trade, financial, and travel restrictions to Cuba. The Grange urged the new Administration to seek means whereby Cuba might be extended loans and/or credit to purchase U.S. agricultural products. The Grange further urged the new Administration to quickly seek passage of the pending bilateral trade agreements that have already been negotiated with the nations of Columbia and South Korea.
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| Economic Stimulus a National Grange Concern |
A number of groups including the National Grange recently wrote to Congressional leaders asking them to develop important economic recovery legislation including full funding for the Broadband Data Improvement Act. This legislation would jumpstart comprehensive broadband initiatives in many states, leading to rapid positive economic benefits as broadband coverage gaps are erased and broadband adoption rates rise.
Passed by unanimous consent in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, S. 1492 – the Broadband Data Improvement Act – is the culmination of almost two years of work by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. Working in a bi-partisan manner, Congress achieved consensus on the beginning of a national broadband plan that includes the model of public-private partnerships leveraging their strengths to improve the quality-of-life for all Americans.
As proponents of the passage of this important legislation, National Grange and other groups also advocated for funding to implement it as soon as possible. Estimates for full funding of this important element of broadband improvement range from $200 million to $335 million. Broadband availability and usage is critical infrastructure in a 21 st century economy and it is crucial that the Congress work in a bipartisan, bicameral way to fully fund the Broadband Data Improvement Act as part of a broadband component of any economic stimulus bill considered in the 111th Congress.
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| National Grange Writes to FCC Concerning Broadband Lifeline/Link-Up |
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Recently, the National Grange wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerning their review of a petition to establish a Broadband Lifeline/Link-Up program on a trial basis in Virginia, Florida, D.C., and Tennessee. The Grange urged the FCC to consider the concerns of rural Americans explaining how several current programs have been highly successful in helping rural communities stay connected with the nation and the world. The Grange further emphasized the role that broadband can, and will, play in driving an economic engine in rural America.
Speaking specifically about the petition, the Grange agreed with the proposed one- to two-year market trial limited to 500,000 to 1,000,000 households in four states. The benefits of a trial include:
- Expense: it would not cost a large amount, thus not reducing funding for existing USF programs;
- Evaluation: it would allow the Commission to evaluate the success of the program in diverse areas (rural, urban) and among different populations.
- Investment: It would allow the Commission to evaluate if the program would benefit from additional support for broadband build out and investment in certain (rural) communities. We are concerned that many rural consumers who would benefit from the Lifeline broadband program would simply not have broadband available to them, even at the reduced cost.
National Grange also encouraged the FCC to allow non-wireline, non-wireless providers such as satellite companies to become ETCs, so that they may participate in the Broadband USF program. Satellite signals are almost ubiquitous and have the potential to deliver broadband communications to remote areas. Finally, the National Grange agreed that families with an income below 135 percent of the federal poverty level, a disproportional amount who live in rural America, deserve to reap the benefits of advanced telecommunications services like broadband.
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| National Grange Comments on U.S. EPA SPCC Plans |
The Agriculture Coalition on the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC), which consists of organizations representing farmers, ranchers, farmer cooperatives, livestock operation, and related agribusinesses including the National Grange, submitted comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule amending the dates by which facilities must prepare or amend and implement SPCC plans.
The Coalition strongly affirmed that members of the agricultural sector, who grow this nation’s food and rely on well water from their property for their families’ needs, are highly motivated to ensure that their environmental practices are sound. These producers strive daily for a safe environment for their children and the communities in which they live.
The Coalition has been working with EPA to make sure that any agency action regulating oil spill prevention and response take into account the uniqueness of the agricultural industry, be based on sound science, need and identified risk, and that final regulations be clear and allow time for education and implementation. While the coalition appreciates the ongoing dialogue with EPA and notes the improved options for agriculture contained in the final rule issued December 5, 2008 (73 FR 74236), the Coalition has concerns with the Agency’s proposed compliance deadlines for farms.
Given the lack of knowledge, exposure and understanding of the SPCC rule within the agriculture sector and the Agency’s lack of a communication plan, the Coalition believes at a minimum, all farms (regardless of above ground storage capacity) should have the same compliance deadline. Furthermore, any agricultural deadline must be predicated on EPA conducting a successful and active national compliance assistance program for the agricultural community.
For simplicity, the Coalition called on the EPA to establish one compliance deadline for all industry sectors impacted by this final rule to avoid further confusion. A compliance deadline of November 20, 2013 was recommended for both the agricultural community and oil production facilities.
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| Legislative Round Up |
Michigan State Grange
By: Jeff Swainston, Legislative Director
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This past week marked the final session of the 2007-2008 Michigan Legislature. The Legislature approved some issues that were on the table and one very controversial piece of legislation was allowed to die.
Legislation was approved by the State Senate to establish a program to recycle consumer computer electronics without a fee to consumers. This program, known as E-waste recycling, would allow/provide residents to dispose of old computer equipment and reduce the amount of hazardous materials being dumped into local landfills.
The legislature also approved an increase in fees for snowmobile registration as well as trail permits. The snowmobile program, funded entirely by snowmobile operators and administered by the state of Michigan, was facing a $1 million deficit next year without the increase. A three-year snowmobile registration would increase from $22 to $30. This money would be used to prevent lost sections of trails due to ownership changes. Trail permits would increase from $25 to $35 for 2009-2010, then $45 for 2011-2015, and would be inflation-indexed beginning in 2016. These revenues are designated for the Snowmobile Trail Improvement that grooms and maintains the trails. Snowmobiling has a profound impact on winter tourism in Michigan.
One controversial piece of legislation that will die in the legislature is a smoking ban for restaurants and bars. The major sticking point seemed to be how to handle certain types of businesses, such as the Detroit casinos, that want to be exempted from such a ban.
Connecticut State Grange
By: Gordon Gibson, Legislative Director |
The Connecticut General Assembly held a one day special session in November where everyone could agree on two issues: first, the state has major financial problems because of the economy and second, nobody has a solution to the first problem. The state gets most of its current funding from income tax and sales tax. When people’s incomes go down, so does the income tax they pay. When people’s incomes go down, they also tend to spend less, which means the state collects less sales tax. Like many households, the state is looking for places where it can reduce spending.
Today, as more and more people find their income reduced or they lose their jobs in a layoff, they turn to the state for help. Connecticut, like most states, has an emergency reserve fund known as the “Rainy Day Fund.” Some people are saying the current economy is an emergency and the State should dip into its rainy day fund to solve the problems. A state without a good reserve fund will find its credit rate lowered and will have to pay even more interest every time it borrows money. Unfortunately, Connecticut already has one of the worst credit ratings among state governments.
The 2009 regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly began on January 7. This will be a “long” session when any senator or representative can file any bill they want. Certainly there will be many bills filed concerning the state’s financial situation. Two years ago the legislators looked to the lobbyists to develop the budget that is now in place. Most likely the legislators will again look to the lobbyists for help, as we are all in this together.
Washington State Grange
By: Scott Dahlman, Legislative Director |
The Washington Legislature opened the 2009 Session on January 12. This is an odd year so it will be a “long” session lasting for 105 days. It should be over in late April but the term “long” could be a good descriptor for this session. We are facing at least a $5 billion budget shortfall, which could grow well past that mark by the end of session. The bottom line is there is not enough money to fund everything the legislature wants to fund, so we are all going to be feeling the pinch.
The budget will affect everything this session and it will be a tough year for any bills to make it through the process. With this budget crisis there will either be massive cuts or increased revenue. Governor Gregoire vowed on her re-election campaign, and again in recent weeks, that she would not be raising taxes. But, legislative leaders have not made that same pledge, and the idea of the legislature sending a tax proposal to the people for a vote next November is a real possibility. Aside from the budget, we are hopeful that other important issues will be given fair time this year. Here is a list of some things Washington State Grange expects to be discussed in 2009:
- Water including Relinquishment Reform and Stock Water Exemption on Exempt Wells;
- Climate Change including the Governor’s Climate Action Team Growth Management Act and a Cap & Trade Program;
- Environmental Markets Program;
- WASL reforms;
- WSDA “Future of Farming” report to the legislature;
- Puget Sound Action Agenda.
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