05/09/08 Almost Done & Asking for Support

Almost Done & Asking for Support. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. It appears that the 2007 Farm Bill struggle is near an end. But don't get too excited as there are still a couple of hurdles including the President's signature. Yesterday members of a conference committee from the Senate and House of Representatives announced they've reached an agreement on the new farm bill. Now, the bill moves to the Senate and House floors before going on to the Oval Office. Farmers Union President Tom Buis says the time has come. BUIS: This is a good farm bill. Congress was challenged to write a new farm legislation under the pressure of competing demands in a reduced budget. The produced a good fully paid for bill that will benefit all Americans. 3 Washington Congressman are asking Governor Christine Gregoire to step up to the plate when it comes to the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. A recent statement by Gregoire said she "didn't know" whether the agreement should be passed since she "hadn't studied it." Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, Doc Hastings and Dave Reichert sent a letter to the Governor urging support according to Hastings. HASTINGS: By signing this Columbia Free Trade agreement we would immediately, immediately remove tariffs for apples and pears and cherries and beef and other products. So it's a good thing for our agriculture community. Now here's today's Washington Grange Report. (GRANGE) That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.