(Tallahassee/NSF) — Black farmers in Florida have waited more than four years to vie for a license to participate in the state’s lucrative medical-marijuana industry. But it’s still unknown exactly how much longer they’ll have to continue to bide their time. Under the state’s medical marijuana law, one license must go to a grower who had been part of settled lawsuits …
Ag Disasters Funding Included in House Stop-Gap Funding Bill Facing Senate GOP Filibuster
House Democrats included billions for Ag disaster aid in their stop-gap government funding bill that passed on a party-line vote, but that now faces a Senate GOP filibuster over its debt limit hike. The stop-gap spending bill to avert a government shutdown October first passed on a partisan 220-211 vote, despite Democrats including billions for Ag and other disasters. Here …
DeLauro introduces Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro this week introduced the Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act. The Connecticut Democrat says the legislation will increase and improve the Department of Agriculture’s procurement of fresh fruits and vegetables. The bill would require USDA to partner with growers, distributors, and food hubs to provide fresh, U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables to community organizations like schools, …
NCC Following Committee Markup Process in the House
Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives continue their committee markup process to develop the individual pieces of the budget reconciliation bill that will be assembled in the coming weeks. Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council (NCC), Reece Langley, has more details on the agriculture specific provisions. Langley also explains what is not in the House agriculture package …
“No” to Immigration Reform – Ag Labor in Limbo?
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled against the Democrats’ plan to provide eight million green cards as a part of their $3.5 trillion spending bill. The Hill says that decision makes getting immigration reform to President Biden’s desk that much harder. MacDonough’s guidance all but closes the door on Democrats’ chances to be able to use the spending bill as a …
Commissioner Fried / FDACS Submit 2022-23 Legislative Budget Request
(Tallahassee, FL/Sept. 20, 2021-FDACS) — Last week, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) submitted the department’s Legislative Budget Request (LBR) for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. “Despite the challenges of operating through a continuing pandemic, our core mission remains the same: to safeguard the public and support Florida agriculture. Our budget priorities are solutions-oriented and critical not only to our …
Leaders Pushing for Failed Changes in Committee
Key ag issues still linger in the wake of House committee action on the president’s massive “Build Back Better” budget. House Democrats completed committee work on the 3.5 trillion-dollar tax and spending plan, though changes could still get made in the Rules Committee and on the House floor. Ag leaders will be pushing for changes that failed in committee, including …
House Ways and Means Committee Releases Draft Bill
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee this week did release a draft bill, and for now, the stepped-up basis tax break for farms and ranches appears safe. But the final verdict may still be out. The bill includes tax provisions that would pay for portions of the proposed $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation legislative package, and the bill doers include …
Rep. Scott Working to Bridge the Rural Divide
Last month, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee unanimously advanced a bipartisan bill that authorizes $43 billion to expand rural broadband service nationwide. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act would authorize $4.5 billion in annual funding, starting in fiscal year 2022. This has been a priority for Rep. David Scott (GA-13), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. He talks about the rural divide we …
Vilsack, Tai, Meet with Ag Policy Advisory Committee
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai released a statement following a meeting with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee last week. Ambassador Tai detailed how the Biden-Harris Administration’s trade agenda aligns with the objectives of the agricultural sector. The Ambassador discussed how USTR is working to support the ability of U.S. agricultural producers to expand access to …