Legislative session called success for Washington potato industry

Farm and Ranch May 8, 209 It wasn't so much what the Washington State Legislature did during its recent regular session that has agricultural interests calling it a successful session, it's what lawmakers didn't do. Jim Jesernig, who represents the Washington State Potato Commission in Olympia, says the biggest priority was "do no harm." Jesernig: "There was a bill that would have imposed at 60-million dollar B&O tax on agriculture that collectively we were able to defeat and it did not move forward this session. That was a top priority for all of agriculture." Even though it was a tough budget year, Jesernig says they managed to lessen the impact of proposed spending cuts on the Department of Agriculture. Jesernig: "That would have essentially ham strung that department's ability to be an advocate for not only agriculture but rural Washington. We were also able to keep the reductions that are going to go on in the higher education system from devastating the agricultural portions of WSU Extension. So, given the extremely difficult budget scenario I think it was a very good year for agricultural interests." There were several bills addressing the stock water exemption but none passed and only a working group will be formed on the issue. Jesernig says that's an important issue for the potato industry because cattle feeders are a market for potato waste from processors. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.