12/19/08 The governor's budget and ag

Washington Ag December 19, 2008 So what does Governor Chris Gregoire think of the new biennial budget proposal she unveiled yesterday that cuts 5.7 billion dollars in spending to cover a revenue shortfall? Gregoire: "I can't say I don't love it. I hate it. You know nothing went untouched. Nothing went untouched." What are some impacts on agriculture? In the Department of Agriculture ongoing funding for local governments to respond to invasive weeds is reduced 20 percent. General fund support for commercial feed regulation, pesticide regulation and a portion of administrative support would be replaced with agricultural fee expenditure authority. Funding for State Conservation Commission staffing is reduced and grants to local conservation districts are also decreased. Two Conservation Market Pilot projects that were to be initiated in 2010 would be cancelled until funding is available. State funding for Pioneers in Conservation, a competitive grant program for agricultural projects that benefit fish and wildlife, is eliminated. The governor's budget does include funding for maintenance and operation costs for the Global Animal Health Facility Phase 1 at Washington State University. The governor's budget has no new taxes. The State Legislature of course will adopt its own budget and work the differences out with the governor. I'm Bob Hoff.