On Feb. 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would address the shortage of agricultural specialists and inspectors at U.S. ports of entry. According to Customs and Border Patrol estimates, there is currently a shortage of nearly 700 inspectors across the country. The Senate companion bill was introduced by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and passed in October …
NRCS Chief on Implementation of Farm Bill Programs
Last month, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) updated a House Ag subcommittee on progress in implementing programs connected to the 2018 Farm Bill. And NRCS Chief Matt Lohr told Southeast AgNet that it’s been an exciting year. And NRCS recently announced that sign up is underway for their Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). …
Florida Lawmakers Approve Proposed Budgets
Thursday, both the Florida House and Senate unanimously passed their versions of a record state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed House budget, at $91.37 billion, is about $1.4 billion less than the Senate’s $92.83 billion spending plan. Both proposals top the $90.98 billion budget for the current fiscal year. According to the News Service of Florida, the proposed …
Georgia Legislature Working on Budget Issues
Other than working on budget issues, week five of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly was a quiet one. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President, Will Bentley, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that all of the attention this week was on the budget. To keep track of activities during the 2020 Legislative Session go to the GAC website. (http://www.ga-agribusiness.org/) …
It’s Budget Time in the Florida Legislature
Week five of the Florida Legislative session kicks off this week, and both the Senate and House, of course, have already released their prospective budgets for the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1. The Senate proposed a $92.8 billion budget while the House proposed a $91.3 billion budget. The $1.5 billion difference includes funding amounts for the environment, education, …
NCBA Unveils Top Policy Priorities For 2020
(NCBA) — The Executive Committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) approved the organization’s top 2020 Policy Priorities. Approval came at the annual Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Like last year, NCBA’s top policy priorities include issues related to international trade, proper regulation of fake meat, and regulatory reform, although after a series of significant policy victories …
Secretary Perdue on President Trump’s State of the Union Address
(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union address: “Tonight, President Trump’s State of the Union address showcased our country’s relentless optimism and his vision of brighter days that lie ahead. The President has rural America and agriculture close to his heart and has kept his promises …
Commissioner Nikki Fried, Lawmakers Blast Office of Energy “Power Grab”
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried was joined by state lawmakers to strongly oppose a House Agriculture and Natural Resource Subcommittee bill, PCB ANR 20-01, which would move the Office of Energy from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Fried was joined by Senator Kevin Rader and Representative Javier Fernandez …
Budget Discussed in Georgia Legislature
Week two of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly was mostly about the budget. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President, Will Bentley, looks at a few of the budget issues, and how some of those will affect various aspects of agriculture in the state. To keep track of activities during the 2020 Legislative Session and to learn more about …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on 2020 Legislative Priorities
(FDACS) — Today marks the start of Florida’s annual 60-day legislative session. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried released a video highlighting a number of her top legislative priorities for the 2020 session. Following a highly successful first legislative session, Commissioner Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services look forward to additional legislative successes in 2020. Improving Concealed Weapons Licensing: The bills, SB 1566 by Senator …