More news from Florida Congressman Adam Putnam’s office: WASHINGTON – Federal legislation to fund agricultural programs passed the House of Representatives this week by a vote of 266 to 160. The measure H.R. 2997 – Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 – contains a number of provisions supported by Congressman Adam Putnam that will help advance vital agricultural research in Florida.
Putnam Sponsored Projects in the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations
Citrus Health Response Plan (CHRP): $44,656,000
(US. Department of Agriculture and FL Dept. of Agriculture)
To provide Florida and other citrus-producing states with critical pest control and suppression activities, and assist in prevention and control mechanisms to combat Citrus Greening and Canker, which pose an increasing threat to the citrus industry. Funding represents an increase of $9.2 million over FY 2009 of $35,389,000.
Citrus Greening/Canker Research: $1,217,000
(University of Florida, Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred)
For critical continuation and expansion of vital Citrus Greening and Citrus Canker research to improve technologies for treatment and detection, methods of movement and containment, and means to control and eliminate these devastating diseases.
Asian Citrus Psyllid/Citrus Greening Disease Research: $1,000,000
(Agricultural Research Service – Winter Haven/Ft. Pierce)
(This was not a formal spending request)
Tropical and Subtropical Research/T-Star: $6,677,000
(University of FL Joint project)
The Tropical/Subtropical Agricultural Research (T-STAR) program conducts research and education for interdiction, eradication, and suppression of invasive plants, animals, insects and disease.
Tropical Aquaculture, Ruskin FL: $300,000
(University of FL and Hillsborough County)
Research from the laboratory provides much needed science-based technologies in nutrition, reproduction, health, and water quality management issues for the tropical ornamental aquaculture industry, based primarily in the county.
To safeguard the integrity of taxpayer funding, Congressman Putnam has established guidelines for all of his spending requests and has authored legislation that would require all members of Congress to follow the same guidelines:
All projects are directed to public entities or universities. No private organizations (outside of universities) are provided with project funding;
All projects include at least a 10 percent funding match from the recipient in order to ensure state and local support;
No projects are named after a Member of Congress, which ensures that no “monuments to me” are funded;
All project requests are available on-line (in a readable format) for review upon submission to the Appropriations Committee. This long-held office policy allows the constituents of the 12th Congressional District to review the important project priorities that are being requested.
Since 2001, Putnam has represented Florida’s 12th Congressional District, which includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola counties.