On Tuesday night I visited Patterson Grange in Rowan County! We ate dinner and it was awesome... as always. Over dinner the conversation turned toward politics and it was so great to hear how a few Grangers called their Congressman about an issue they were concerned about. Way to get involved & have a voice! After dinner we moved into the meeting area where I gave a presentation on the budget, mostly on the issue of education within the budget. I told them that I was there to update them what the General Assembly is doing... or rather what they're not doing. I wished that I could have given them a better update on the budget, but I wasn't able to.
If your Grange would like a copy of this presentation, please let me know.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
In DC...
The US House Agriculture Committee approved 4 bills regarding conservation and forest lands for floor consideration. All were approved by the Committee by voice vote and were ordered to be reported favorably to the House floor. One of those bills involves North Carolina.
HR 1002 - This bill would authorize the purchase of privately held land by the US Forest Service and modify the boundaries of the Pigsah National Forest in McDowell County, North Carolina. The modification would allow for better recreational access to Catawba Falls, a popular tourist site in the region.
HR 1002 - This bill would authorize the purchase of privately held land by the US Forest Service and modify the boundaries of the Pigsah National Forest in McDowell County, North Carolina. The modification would allow for better recreational access to Catawba Falls, a popular tourist site in the region.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Troxler to China
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will travel to China on August 1 on an agricultural trade mission. The trip will focus on expanding sales for tobacco, soybeans, cotton and other commodities. There are also plans for signing a memorandum with leaders in a Chinese province to promote agricultural trade between the country and North Carolina. China bought $271 million in North Carolina agricultural products last year.
Jimmy Gentry was invited to join the Commissioner for this trip.
Jimmy Gentry was invited to join the Commissioner for this trip.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Are we close to having a state budget?
House and Senate budget negotiators say they are close to reaching a deal to raise nearly $1 billion in order to balance a $19 billion state budget. But the two sides concluded negotiations on Tuesday without agreement on some important details, one of them exactly how much to raise sale taxes. An obstacle that may loom even larger: Reluctance by some key House Democrats to agree to any increase in cigarette taxes. [The North Carolina State Grange has opposed the increase in cigarette taxes because the tobacco industry has been hit extremely hard this year with an increase in the federal tobacco tax, FDA regulation of tobacco & the passage of stringent smoking laws in the state and tobacco growers shouldn't be forced to bear any more of the burden of the budget crunch than they're already experiencing] Even so, Democratic leaders said the two sides have made substantial progress and agreed in principle to the broad strokes of the plan. "We still have a lot of options," House Speaker Joe Hackney said after emerging from a closed-door caucus meeting in which House Democrats discussed the proposal. "We're closer than we've ever been," he added. After another round of evening negotiations, chairs of the House and Senate finance committees said more caucus meetings and negotiations would be needed to reach agreement on final details. "We're very optimistic we will conclude this week," said Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston.
The agreement calls for a 3/4 cent increase in the state sales tax, which could rise to 1 cent if House Democrats reject an increase on the tax on electricity sales. The plan would also impose a 2% surcharge on personal and corporate income tax liability, meaning an individual owning $1,000 in income taxes would see their bill rise by $20. That tax, unlike others in the place, would be temporary, expiring in two years. So-called sin taxes -- excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes -- would also rise. No sales taxes on services, which had been large part of a Senate tax plan and a smaller part of a House plan, are included in the latest proposal. Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham, a co-chair of the House Finance Committee, acknowledged that a cigarette tax hike, historically opposed by rural Democrats, again had its critics. "There are members of the House caucus that are having a problem with even a small increase in the cigarette tax," Luebke said. [The North Carolina State Grange has communicated its concerns with members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.] Hackney could be seen talking to one of those rural Democrats, Rep. Dewey Hill, D-Columbus, after leaving the caucus meeting and heading to the House floor. The proposal being considered would raise cigarette taxes as much as 15 cents per pack.
But just as in the other areas, Senate negotiators apparently are willing to make tradeoffs if that amount is lowered. In thise case, lowing the cigarette tax hike could mean increasing the hikes on beer, wine and liquor, all in order to hit a set target as part of a $990 million overall tax increase. The proposal also ties an overall sales tax hike of 3/4 of a cent to an increase in the sales tax in electricity. If the electricity sales tax doesn't rise from the current 3% rate, the overall sales tax could rise even more, to 1 penny, to make up the difference. Senate Democrats planned to caucus this morning to discuss where the negotiations stand. House Democrats were likely to meet around lunchtime. Legislative Republicans, meanwhile, criticized both Democrats' inability to reach an agreement and their focus on new taxes. Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said Democrats weren't engaged in a high-minded debate about reforming the tax code but trying to do the lease damage to their political futures. (THE INSIDER, 7/22/09).
The agreement calls for a 3/4 cent increase in the state sales tax, which could rise to 1 cent if House Democrats reject an increase on the tax on electricity sales. The plan would also impose a 2% surcharge on personal and corporate income tax liability, meaning an individual owning $1,000 in income taxes would see their bill rise by $20. That tax, unlike others in the place, would be temporary, expiring in two years. So-called sin taxes -- excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes -- would also rise. No sales taxes on services, which had been large part of a Senate tax plan and a smaller part of a House plan, are included in the latest proposal. Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham, a co-chair of the House Finance Committee, acknowledged that a cigarette tax hike, historically opposed by rural Democrats, again had its critics. "There are members of the House caucus that are having a problem with even a small increase in the cigarette tax," Luebke said. [The North Carolina State Grange has communicated its concerns with members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.] Hackney could be seen talking to one of those rural Democrats, Rep. Dewey Hill, D-Columbus, after leaving the caucus meeting and heading to the House floor. The proposal being considered would raise cigarette taxes as much as 15 cents per pack.
But just as in the other areas, Senate negotiators apparently are willing to make tradeoffs if that amount is lowered. In thise case, lowing the cigarette tax hike could mean increasing the hikes on beer, wine and liquor, all in order to hit a set target as part of a $990 million overall tax increase. The proposal also ties an overall sales tax hike of 3/4 of a cent to an increase in the sales tax in electricity. If the electricity sales tax doesn't rise from the current 3% rate, the overall sales tax could rise even more, to 1 penny, to make up the difference. Senate Democrats planned to caucus this morning to discuss where the negotiations stand. House Democrats were likely to meet around lunchtime. Legislative Republicans, meanwhile, criticized both Democrats' inability to reach an agreement and their focus on new taxes. Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said Democrats weren't engaged in a high-minded debate about reforming the tax code but trying to do the lease damage to their political futures. (THE INSIDER, 7/22/09).
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
June Atkinson: in charge of NC public schools
Didn't we vote for that in November when June Atkinson was elected as Superintendent of Public Instruction? That's what the North Carolina State Grange thought at least... which is why we contacted Governor Perdue's office in February over our concern that the appointment of Bill Harrison eroded the authority of the Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson as an elected official.
Our communication with the Governor's office was as follows:
According to G.S. 115C-19, the Superintendent of Public Instruction acts as Chief Administration Officer of the State Board of Education and manages the administration of day-to-day functions of the public school system. Appointing Bill Harrison to function as the operator of day-to-day operations of the Department disregarded the Superintendent's duties as prescribed by state law. The State Constitution states that the elected official is the leader over North Carolina schools. The Superintendent of Public Instruction was elected by North Carolina voters as more than an "ambassador" for local school systems teachers and business communities. The power to hand-pick appointees is clearly undemocratic because portions of the Superintendent's functions will no longer be fulfilled by the duly elected Superintendent.
June Atkinson sued the state and Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood said Friday that Atkinson is the person at the top of North Carolina schools because the state constitution assigns that duty to the elected superintendent. The video of the Court's ruling can be found here (for the "meat" of the ruling, fast forward & watch from 5:30 to 9:45)
Our communication with the Governor's office was as follows:
According to G.S. 115C-19, the Superintendent of Public Instruction acts as Chief Administration Officer of the State Board of Education and manages the administration of day-to-day functions of the public school system. Appointing Bill Harrison to function as the operator of day-to-day operations of the Department disregarded the Superintendent's duties as prescribed by state law. The State Constitution states that the elected official is the leader over North Carolina schools. The Superintendent of Public Instruction was elected by North Carolina voters as more than an "ambassador" for local school systems teachers and business communities. The power to hand-pick appointees is clearly undemocratic because portions of the Superintendent's functions will no longer be fulfilled by the duly elected Superintendent.
June Atkinson sued the state and Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood said Friday that Atkinson is the person at the top of North Carolina schools because the state constitution assigns that duty to the elected superintendent. The video of the Court's ruling can be found here (for the "meat" of the ruling, fast forward & watch from 5:30 to 9:45)
Bill Harrison will still be employed by the Department of Public Instruction and will serve as the Chairman of the Board of Education, however, he will no longer be considered the CEO of schools. "I think we're both adults and we're both focused on the work that needs to be done, and that's what's important," Harrison said.
Climate bill delayed until November
The House passed "cap & trade" legislation at the end of June and as it has moved into the Senate, there have been road blocks. As health care reform has preoccupied Senate's time and energy, cap & trade legislation has been delayed. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (CA) stated "We'll do it as soon as we get back"in September from a month long break. Four other committees will also review the climate bill. A White House spokesman says that the White House continues to work with Senate and believes the legislation is right on track. Senators don't feel as though this delay will hurt the chances of the bill passing Senate this year. They hope to "take this as far as we can take it [before Copenhagen]" The COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 will be held in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Check out the entire article from the Washington Post.
The North Carolina State Grange opposes this cap & trade legislation.
Check out the entire article from the Washington Post.
The North Carolina State Grange opposes this cap & trade legislation.
Food Safety
HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, is an attempt to address food safety from the farm to the national and international market. It addresses domestic food production as well as imported food into the United States.
In DC, the House Agriculture Committee has held 4 hearings on food safety this year. Witnesses at the July 16 hearing included farmers, ranchers, consumer group representatives, and government officials from USDA and FDA. In addition to these witnesses, Jeff Almer from Perham, Minnesota was recognized to speak about his mother who was a victim of the Salmonella outbreak caused by peanut butter in 2008.
"Ensuring a safe food supply is a top priority for the House Agriculture Committee, and we want to play a role in developing strong food safety policies that are practical and address the problems in the system," Chairman Peterson said.
"None of the producer witnesses at the hearing today would support the Food Safety Enhancement Act as it is written," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA). "It is clear that members of the committee and our witnesses are concerned about the new authority the bill gives FDA to regulate on the farm production practices. The notion that FDA can dictate to farmers in every region of the country, growing and producing a vast array of crops and livestock for a range of markets, is irrational."
While some parts of the legislation are supported by National Grange policy, an amendment is needed to clarify that farms, farmers markets, and restaurants are not "facilities" and should not be subject to a $1,000 fee or periodic inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Without this clarification, the vague and over inclusive wording of this bill could prompt lawsuits in future years that expand the scope of the bill to include farms, farmers markets, and restaurants. Instead the bill should make clear that any food safety or public health inspections for farms, farmers markets, and restaurants are only to be conducted by local/state health departments and state departments of agriculture.
The North Carolina State Grange supports National Grange policy and has contacted North Carolina delegation about this issue.
In DC, the House Agriculture Committee has held 4 hearings on food safety this year. Witnesses at the July 16 hearing included farmers, ranchers, consumer group representatives, and government officials from USDA and FDA. In addition to these witnesses, Jeff Almer from Perham, Minnesota was recognized to speak about his mother who was a victim of the Salmonella outbreak caused by peanut butter in 2008.
"Ensuring a safe food supply is a top priority for the House Agriculture Committee, and we want to play a role in developing strong food safety policies that are practical and address the problems in the system," Chairman Peterson said.
"None of the producer witnesses at the hearing today would support the Food Safety Enhancement Act as it is written," said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA). "It is clear that members of the committee and our witnesses are concerned about the new authority the bill gives FDA to regulate on the farm production practices. The notion that FDA can dictate to farmers in every region of the country, growing and producing a vast array of crops and livestock for a range of markets, is irrational."
While some parts of the legislation are supported by National Grange policy, an amendment is needed to clarify that farms, farmers markets, and restaurants are not "facilities" and should not be subject to a $1,000 fee or periodic inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Without this clarification, the vague and over inclusive wording of this bill could prompt lawsuits in future years that expand the scope of the bill to include farms, farmers markets, and restaurants. Instead the bill should make clear that any food safety or public health inspections for farms, farmers markets, and restaurants are only to be conducted by local/state health departments and state departments of agriculture.
The North Carolina State Grange supports National Grange policy and has contacted North Carolina delegation about this issue.
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