Wow, time is flying. Fourth of July and summer is officially here! The weather has been so crappy I’ve been keeping my head low and just keep working on the issues. My farmer friends are not very happy as you can imagine. Rain, Rain keep away so hopefully there will be some positive growing season yet this summer. There will be gaps in vegetable production, some disease and other problems due to the inclement situation. Very frustrating when you can’t do anything about it.
There has been a lot of “stuff” happening at the federal, state and county level of government keeping the staff and board of directors at LIFB very busy. Last week I attended the AFBF National Affairs Conference in Washington, DC with Cathy Mural our National Affairs coordinator from NYFB. The presentations from Washington insiders and visits with the New York and Long Island delegation are always insightful and timely. Last Friday the House of Representatives brought up the Climate Change Legislation. It passed 219 to 217, very close indeed. Prior to the vote we had covered the bases with the delegation. AFBF and NYFB had expressed reservations as to the unanticipated consequences of the bill. Sure, we all agree that all parts of society need to be cleaner, reduce emissions, yada, yada. But the issue for farmers is how much more input costs will rise as a result. Fuel, energy, fertilizer and other prices will rise yet no guarantee of higher return from crops. Agriculture is an energy dependent industry. Many members of the House anticipate that the Senate won’t be so hasty in passage of the climate change bill. They generally work more slowly and review the issues in more depth than the House, just the way our founders planned it. (I guess they were pretty thoughtful themselves.)
In the meantime, NYFB Director of Public Policy, Julie Suarez. NYFB Board, her staff, LIFB Board and myself have been fighting the state legislature and Governor on Farm Labor policy that would impact New York agriculture to the tune of 250 million dollars immediately. In past blogs I have written about the issue. I give Julie Suarez tremendous praise for her savvy and political skills for her ability to keep her 10 fingers in the dike while a dysfunctional legislature continues to embarrass themselves and refuses to do the peoples business. At this point county finances are affected by the lack of tax measures that have not been passed at least in the Senate. Julie has had to monitor the situation minute by minute to ensure our members are protected. Great work Julie.
In the meantime we on Long Island have been working with the Suffolk County administration and legislature on efforts to improve the Suffolk County Farmland Preservation Program. Steve Levy, Carrie Gallagher, Tom Isles, Chris Kent and the entire team have been working closely with LIFB, PLT and the legislature to make careful yet needed changes to the program. Dan Losquadro and Ed Romaine have been very helpful in dealing with the SC Legislature to keep their colleagues in harmony. Much happening as you can tell. Remember, don’t complain if your not in the trenches trying to help. Don’t forget to use the NYFB E-Lobby when we need your help in getting our message to Legislators. Just go to the NYFB website and follow the directions.
Happy Fourth of July!