01/12/09 Agriculture to legislature: "Do no harm"

Washington Ag January 12, 2009 The 2009 session of the Washington Legislature begins today with lawmakers facing a five-billion dollar plus budget deficit for the next biennium. John Stuhlmiller, Director of Government Affairs for the Washington State Farm Bureau, says 32 agricultural groups have put forth a unified position on ag issues and the first priority can be summed up as "do no harm." Stuhlmiller: "It is avoiding increasing taxes, fees or regulations that would hinder the ability of Washington's farmers and ranchers to remain economically viable. And in the Farm Bureau agenda we have four items as well and our key issue is the same. Promote that sound economic engine that agriculture is. It is the biggest source of revenue combined for the state, by making sure we reduce, or at least don't increase any fiscal or regulatory burdens on farmers and ranchers." Lawmakers also have to address a supplemental budget for the current biennium to reduce spending. Stuhlmiller: "Those reductions will affect the Water Resource Program, Fish and Wildlife programs, some of which are helpful to agriculture. We are feeling the sting in a grazing program and some other things." The state Senate has a new chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee, Democrat Ken Hatfield of Raymond. In the House, Democrat Brian Blake of Aberdeen is again the chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. The legislative session is scheduled to run until April 26th. I'm Bob Hoff.