Plastic Bag Ban & Idaho Budget

Plastic Bag Ban & Idaho Budget

Plastic Bag Ban & Idaho Budget plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. Idaho Governor Butch Otter is pleased that even with an $8-million dollar deficit the state was able to balance their budget. The fiscal year officially ended June 30, but it took several weeks to balance and certify the state's budget and accounts. Gov. Otter says he balanced the deficit by dipping into permanent building funds that were set aside by state lawmakers. OTTER: The budget is balanced as required by Article Seven, Section Eleven of the Idaho Constitution we have not spent more money for the fiscal year than we have. In fact we took from the PESF, the Public Education Stabilization Fund. We took from many other areas including an unprecedented reach into the endowment fund. We've all seen them on our lawn, flying through the air on a windy day or stuck in a fence somewhere...those extra thin plastic bags you get at the store. The Martin family shuns them like the plaque and it seems some folks in Oregon feel the same way. Some Oregon lawmakers were working on a plan to outlaw disposable plastic bags in the state starting in 2012. Some opponents are demanding a fee be placed on bags while others are pushing the recycle of the bags. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. The Fruits and Veggies - More Matters campaign had a very modest beginning, with a lot of producers being unfamiliar with the initiative. But like the Grinch's heart, the project started out small and then started to grow. The fresh produce program began in order to help people make the healthy choice of having more fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. Most people know the importance of eating veggies and fruit but find it hard to include them in their daily routine, myself included. Part of the problem I've encountered as a mom and grandma is coming up with new and tasty recipes which incorporate these two very important food groups. It can be a challenge to say the least. While Michelle Obama has an entire White House kitchen staff to help her in supplying her family with a diet rich in fruits and veggies I have to rely on my own creativity, and that can be quite challenging at times, to say the least. That's where a visit to the Fruits and Veggies - More Matters website came in real handy. There I found nutritional info, kid friendly recipes galore, and even meal planning and shopping tips. Eat your heart out Michelle! Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
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