Farm bill highlights, Minimum wage clears Minnesota legislature despite veto threat by Governor

by: Emily Gaumer

Fri May 09, 2008 at 12:57:52 PM CDT

Farmland preservation. Funding for the farmland protection preservation program will double. It will be streamlined to allow partners--states and nonprofits--to participate in these protection projects as well.
It accounts for childcare costs in calculating food assistance, and provides more fresh fruits and vegetables to school children. In fact, over the next three years, investment in the program will total approximately $1 billion.

In the area of rural development, the legislation will do the following things:

Supports marketing locally-produced agricultural products; expands broadband service in rural areas, which shifts broadband assistance to those areas--often farms and rural communities--with little or no coverage. In addition, the legislation also creates a rural microenterprise assistance initiative to help individuals with low and moderate income develop and hone the skills necessary to develop and open small businesses in rural areas. The project will provide long-term small loans of $50,000 or less.

In presenting the plan as part of Thursday's press conference, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, Tom Harkin (D-IA), stressed the belief that while the legislation is referred to as the farm bill, it will help individuals and families nationwide.
"It is the single  most important piece of legislation for improving the quality of life and economic vitality of our rural communities."

President Bush, however, plans to veto the bill, according to the Des Moines Register.  A two-thirds majority of both chambers would be needed to override a veto.

Farm bill have tentative agreement, Law would delay foreclosures, Digital television

by: Emily Gaumer

Thu May 08, 2008 at 15:46:19 PM CDT

Senate Agriculture Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), said late Wednesday that"negotiating is finished", but said that minor issues still remain to be hammered out.

Included in the legislation, according to reports, would be stop some government payments to those that make more than $750,000 in farm income annually, and those who make more than $500,000 in non-farm income would be exempt from subsidies. The cap on farm income would be $750,000 for individuals and $1.5 million for couples, if both are farmers, as caps are individual.

The bill would increase funds for nutrition programs and provide new grants for vegetable and fruit growers.

The Farm Bill will next go to the full U.S. House of Representatives, as early as next week, for a final vote of passage.

In Minnesota, the state senate recently passed legislation on Monday  that would make help ease the strain for homeowners facing potential foreclosure.

According to Minnesota Public Radio, the legislation, which passed the senate 34-29, "would let homeowners delay foreclosure for one year--but they must pay at least 65 percent of their monthly mortgage payment." It would only be available for those homeowners that use the property as their residence and have a subprime loan.
Governor Tim Pawlenty has threatened a veto of such legislation, calling it "detrimental" to the other homeowners that do not fall under such provisions.

Proponents say that thousands of Minnesota residents would benefit from the bill becoming law.

The possibility of an amendment to the bill could prevent a veto, by "allowing lenders to stop the foreclosure deferment if they make a good-faith-effort to renegotiate a borrower's loan."

The legislation is waiting for the House Rules Committee to schedule a companion bill.

The switch to digital television is eliciting concern from smaller television markets, according to the Des Moines Register.

Iowa, one of the smaller television markets, is facing the questions and lawmakers are calling for some clarification prior to the February 17, 2009 national transition date.

Representative Bruce Braley, a Democrat from the eastern part of the state, heads the subcommittee on contracting and technology,  called a hearing to look at the overall impact that the digital transition will have on small markets.

In testimony before Braley's subcommittee on Wednesday, Edward Pardini of Mediacom Communications, tried to assure committee members that small markets wouldn't face any problems, but said that it is up to all the parties to act appropriately.
"There are some bad actors in every community," Pardini said.

In the past, Iowa, Representative Braley's home state, has had some difficulty as a result of, according to the Des Moines Register, was "a stalemate over per-subscriber fees between Mediacom and Sinclair Broadcasting Group."

An estimated 19.6 million households nationally have analog televisions, and in order for them to maintain their signal, they would have to purchase a new television, subscribe to a video service or purchase an analog-to-digital converter box.

Sen. Harkin and Election Day Registration, Campaign '08 news, Rising prices for farmland

by: Emily Gaumer

Wed May 07, 2008 at 14:40:50 PM CDT

Even though Senator Harkin is co-sponsoring the bill, Senate Bill 2959, the entire delegation from the Hawkeye state is not united. Representative Steve King, a Republican from western Iowa, is voicing his opposition to the bill.

As other states have joined the same-day registration movement, Iowa has been slow to join, but not because they have not tried.

In the 1980's, the state legislature passed same-day registration , but was vetoed by the sitting governor.

In Campaign '08 news....Despite the less than stellar victory in Indiana and the loss in North Caroliina, Senator Hillary Clinton has vowed to "fight on," according to the New York Times.

Tuesday's outcome in both Indiana and North Carolina--even though split between both Clinton and Senator Obama--shows no decisive victory-- though political analysts are quick to point out that their is no mathematical way that Senator Clinton can garner the nomination.

"The campaign may go on, but the contest is over: Obama is the Democratic nominee for president," said Robert Shrum, a Democratic strategist and senior adviser to the Gore and Kerry presidential campaigns.

For his part, Obama was heard congratulating his opponent on her victory in Indiana on Tuesday and has vowed, according to a report in the Washington Post, to "get back to the approachable, hopeful campaign of last winter's long sojourn in Iowa."

The next contest will be next Tuesday in West Virginia.

In Minnesota, as many items including food and gasoline rise, one group seems as concerned with the price of the state's farmland, according to the Rochester Post Bulletin.

According to Minnesota 2020, and their report, "Minnesota's Bubble Economy:The Critical Need to Prevent Our Farmland Boom from Busting," high land values, record commodity prices, coupled with increasing costs for fuel, fertilizer and food prices, could cause the  state's agricultural  "deep and grave trouble."

The study's author, Lee Engstrom, a fellow at the St. Paul think tank, stresses that farmers should "prepare themselves" for something similar to  the recessions of the 1980's.

The report also stresses that state officials should be prepared as well, saying "the University of Minnesota Extension Service farm debt mediation service [should] have enough resources" in the event of a crisis.

Farm Bill update--Part II

by: Emily Gaumer

Fri Apr 18, 2008 at 15:06:43 PM CDT

A Farm Bill Update: Congress has been granted a one-week extension, allowing members of the conference committee more time to work, according to Agriculture Online.

The bill, which would cover 10 years, at a cost of approximately $570 billion, covers everything from agricultural subsidies to portions of the school lunch program and conservation has been moving at a snail's pace..and does not look to be agreed upon any time soon.

Representative Collin Peterson, (D-Minn), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee said Wednesday that, according to Congressional Quarterly, that "it is likely that negotiators would need another one-to two-week extension to seal a deal."

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner said that unless "substantial progress is made in settling their differences, the Bush Administration is threatening a veto of the entire legislation.

Discussion is expected to continue next week.

Farmers and the Conservation Reserve Program, Farm Bill update

by: Emily Gaumer

Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 14:53:10 PM CDT

The Conservation Reserve program, which has been providing annual payments to farmers that bid to include a portion of their land in the program as a way to help restore portions that might be environmentally at risk.

Due to the enthusiastic spread of the ethanol boom and the constant need for corn and soybeans, farmers are willing to sacrifice those annual payments to cash in.

The pros and cons of the issue are widespread, and those that oppose and support the current trend are not expected.

For Ardell Magnusson, a farmer from Roseau, Minnesota, the payments are "godsend" and guaranteed income that he is unwilling to give up.

Supporters of taking the land out of the program, like Jay Truitt, vice president for government affairs for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, say that it is costing taxpayers.

"This program is taking money out of your pocket twice a day." "Do you think it's right for you to pay so there's more quail in Kansas?"

The one thing that both sides seem to agree on is that the issue will never be fully resolved and will be left up to individual farmers.

"If only we had a crystal ball," said Randy Schuring, a dairy farmer from Andover, South Dakota.

Last year, the Conservation Reserve Program, peaked late last summer, with more than 400,000 farmers receiving nearly $1.8 billion for idling 36.8 million acres, according to the New York Times.

The Road to Economic Recovery

by: Emily Gaumer

Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 12:52:09 PM CDT

By: Senator Blanche Lincoln, Rural Outreach Chair

Earlier this year, Congress passed an economic stimulus package to put money in the hands of working families, seniors, and veterans who need it most and would spend it to get our slowing economy moving again.  Americans should soon begin receiving their checks, and I am hopeful that the tax rebates will give our economy a much-needed surgical shot.  As with any surgery, the  rehabilitation and recovery procedures that follow are absolutely critical to ensuring long-term health and strength.  While the economic stimulus plan is an important first step, I believe that Congress must develop a comprehensive strategy to revitalize our economy by rebuilding our nation for the twenty-first century and reinvesting in American businesses and American workers.

Investing in infrastructure, particularly transportation infrastructure, and our human capital are critical pieces to a long-term investment strategy. Clean drinking water, flood controls, bridges, and roads are needs in every community.  FAA reauthorization also would provide resources for airport construction and repair.   These investments make our nation more secure and create jobs nationwide. Every $1 billion spent on public works projects provides nearly 47,000 jobs.  The $9 billion provided for these projects in the budget recently passed by the U.S. Senate would create nearly one-half million new jobs.

Another vehicle for implementing our long-term vision-and something that is ready to be passed-is the Farm Bill.  The Farm Bill, in effect, is stimulus for rural America.  The bipartisan bill overwhelmingly passed by the Senate provides more resources for nutrition, conservation, rural development, and renewable energy priorities than ever before.  The increased dollars for nutrition will reduce food insecurity among low-income children and our elderly by funding programs like the school lunch program and Meals on Wheels.  The conservation provisions provide resources to ensure that we are the best stewards of our land and that we will leave our children the environment they deserve.  The rural development title will continue to make investments to help small businesses and entrepreneurs through programs like the broadband initiative.  The energy incentives will help nurture energy conservation and reduce our dependence on foreign oil by creating an additional marketplace for our producers in the growing biofuels industry.  Passage of this bill will make an immediate difference in rural America.

Certainty in the tax code will spur new investments and help provide long-term security.  I recently spoke with an Arkansan who works in the railroad industry.  His small business is prepared to invest significant dollars in upgrades and improvements to his rail line this year, but he needs the short-line rail credit-which expired at the end of 2007-to make it economically viable.  Other tax extenders like the research and development credit and credits for renewable energy and education also need to be renewed so businesses can make needed investments that will help in our economic recovery.  In order for these incentives to work as intended, taxpayers must be able to rely on them and know that they will be there.

By laying out a vision and a roadmap that makes timely and effective capital investments in the communities across this great nation, we will bring long-term stability to our country, which translates to long-term stability for America's workers and businesses.  Americans deserve to feel secure about their future, and it is our responsibility to show leadership and promote policies that continue to create jobs and put dollars in the hands of taxpayers.  In the months and weeks ahead, I will be working with my Senate colleagues to ensure that we are making the necessary long-term investments that will ensure a strong economic recovery.

Majority of Americans say nation on "wrong track" in poll, MN state lawmakers deliver bonding bill

by: Emily Gaumer

Fri Apr 04, 2008 at 14:33:28 PM CDT

The New York Times/CBS News poll, found that approximately 81 percent said that they thought that "things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track,"  an increase of 12 percent from a year ago and 35 percent in early 2002.

This survey appeared to elicit the same response across the political spectrum--no matter whether you live in urban or rural areas, or are male or female.

The top two issues for respondents appeared to be the economy/job market and the war and terrorism; two issues that switched places from responses taken a month ago.

This nationwide survey was conducted during the last week of March, with a total of 1,368 adults and a sampling error of +/- three percent.

In Minnesota, the state bonding bill is now in the Governor's hands, according to the Associated Press.

Sent to Governor Pawlenty's desk on Wednesday, the bill, according to House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm,  "lifts up every corner of the state."

The total package includes $925 million in general obligation bonds--funding everything from parks, transit expansion, as well as funding for building repairs on the state's college campuses.

Those that oppose the legislation, like House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, did not seem very optimistic about the chances for the bill's survival.

"The governor has the choice of chop or liquefy."

The governor has the option of cutting portions of the bill or vetoing it altogether. The final vote in the House was 90-42, with the Senate also approving it on a 57-10 vote.  

Federal Farm Bill, Minnesota bonding bill expected this week

by: Emily Gaumer

Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 17:23:12 PM CDT

"As the only federal agency focused exclusively on building the community assets of rural America, the mission area of USDA Rural Development is far too important to leave off the priority list, let alone totally abandon," said Matthew D. Chase, Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations.

Chase rightly calls for the reform of this title, he says in part that "urban America would not stand this (lack of funding), neither should rural America.

He further argues that rural America stands in a good place for both the agricultural and sustainable development and  tied to regional and local priorities and assets."

Please contact your member of Congress to share with them the importance of including rural development in the budget for the 2008 Farm Bill. Economic development is an important part of the continuing vitality and strength of rural America and should be included in any farm bill.

In Minnesota,Democratic state lawmakers in both houses expect agreement on a bonding bill by the end of the week, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

The bill, said to be approximately $925 million is currently in conference committee.

Governor Tim Pawlenty has said that he would like to "continue a tradition that capital investment bills bills do not exceed 3 percent of projected state revenue,"according to the public radio report.

Democratic leaders say that they have worked hard to present a bill that lawmakers have worked hard and believe that "maintains the 3 percent baseline," House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said.
The legislation requires three-fifths majority to pass.

In Minnesota, United States Senator Amy Klobuchar is throwing her support  behind presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama, according to reports from the Associated Press.

According to her statement released today, she is supporting Senator Obama because "he has inspired an enthusiasm and idealism that we have not seen in this country in a long time."

Her endorsement today comes shortly following Senator Bob Casey Jr., and Senator Claire McCasskill.

Of those people designated as superdelegates from Minnesota, nine people have endorsed Senator Obama and three have endorsed Senator Clinton.

Florida and the future of the Primary Challenge, Rural Minnesotans Most Worried About the Economy,

by: Emily Gaumer

Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 16:21:45 PM CDT

In the case, Victor DiMaio a Democratic Party activist from Tampa, argued that in excluding Florida from holding a primary that the [Democratic National Committee (DNC) was, "disenfranchising Florida's Democratic voters."

In response, the DNC said that as the national party states must follow their rules, something that all the Democratic candidates originally agreed to do.

DiMaio remained "encouraged" by the ruling and vowed to "refile."

Any further decision or reversal would have to be completed by June 10 to be included in the delegate count, according to DNC policy.

Farm Vs. Rural, what is the difference?, Iowa farmland values rise, President Clinton: Rural Hitman

by: Emily Gaumer

Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 11:06:50 AM CDT

Writer Gary Truitt says it is estimated that there are 27 million households that make up this rural lifestyle group. Numerous levels of development and building is going on around small towns.

For instance, in Iowa, developers are proposing the creation of a man-made lake surrounded by large homes. This development is facing some serious roadblocks from current residents and conservationists.

Among Truitt's observations that are quite interesting involve his recent trip to a quasi-trade show. "..only one John Deere display...People were wearing more leather than denim, and cowboy hats outnumbered seed hats."

In the end, Truitt resolves that the "city slickers" will not stop coming and both the farmer and the new residents will have to adapt to the changing rural landscape.