03/31/06 Simpson budget resolution

Congressman Mike Simpson says the 2007 budget resolution going though committee will not require the sale of federal lands as recommended by President Bush. That same proposed budget does re-authorize the law that keeps federal dollars going to rural counties to help pay for some of their school and road costs. Where will the money come from if not from sale of land? Simpson says that's up to the House and Senate conferees to find in other federal programs. Speaking of the budget. SIMPSON "I suspect that there's going to be pressure on the ag budget. Well I don't suspect, I know there is going to be pressure on the ag budget just as there will be on every other budget." As a member of the House Budget Committee Simpson knows there's not a lot of available dollars. SIMPSON "Much of the Ag Bill is mandatory spending, about 70 percent of it. But that other 30 percent is going to be affected somewhat by what we do in this markup on the budget." The budget resolution is expected to go to the House floor for a vote as early as next week. He's also hoping to get a full House hearing next month on his proposed Central Idaho legislation. SIMPSON "I think we can get it through the House. That's where I've done the most work on it. Obviously I have kept our Senators involved in knowing what we're doing and so forth. Then it would be up to me to work with them and see if we can get it through the Senate." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott