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| FEBRUARY 2003 |
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National
Grange Responds to State of the Union Address
The National Grange sent
a letter to President George W. Bush commending him for his recent State of the
Union Address. This provided the National Grange an opportunity to express their
support to the President while making suggestions regarding the ways in which
the objectives outlined in the State of the Union Address can be expanded and
applied to meet the needs of rural Americans.
One
of the concerns shared by Grange members and discussed by the President was the
issue of tax reform. To ensure the viability of American agriculture, impediments
to leaving farmland and property their successors, such as the death and estate
taxes, must be eliminated. The Grange agrees wholeheartedly with President Bush
when he stated [that] "Federal spending should not rise any faster than the paychecks
of American families." The
President and the Grange share a lot of common goals regarding those issues impacting
the quality of life in rural America. Health care was a major concern in his address
and has been a priority issue for the Grange, especially in regard to accessibility
and affordability. The Grange was quite pleased to hear that maintaining the effectiveness
of Medicare will be a priority. Rural areas have a large concentration of senior
citizens that rely on Medicare but fewer medical facilities. With the already
limited number of medical facilities and health care providers available to rural
Americans, the few that do exist are refusing to accept Medicare patients at an
increasing rate. This is why Medicare must remain intact, not only to provide
the necessary services but allow rural seniors the flexibility to choose their
own doctors and determine the best course of treatment.
Preservation
of the environment and the development of cleaner energy sources is something
that all of America should strive for. The President even provided such an example,
that being the development of cars fueled by hydrogen. Although this is commendable
and points us in the right direction, we must cultivate the vast sources of energy
already existing within our nation's farmlands and agricultural areas in order
to fully realize the goal of achieving energy independence. Potential energy sources
include ethanol fuel derived from corn and wind power that can be generated on
rural farmland without taking up a significant amount of space, not to mention
the plentiful supply of petroleum already existing within the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. Grange
members contribute more than 1.4 million hours every year to community service
projects. When President Bush called upon American citizens to "encourage acts
of compassion that can transform America", the Grange answers that call as it
has done since its inception over 135 years ago. Projects and programs have been
devoted to causes such as drug abuse awareness, deaf education and easing the
plight of foster children. The Grange urged the President to expand the mission
of the USA Freedom Corp to provide mentoring and support services to foster children
and the families that dedicate their time and open their hearts and homes to these
children.
The
Grange also commended the President for establishing the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. Homeland security is as much a concern, in some cases greater, to rural
areas as it is to suburban and urban areas. This is because farmers and rural
communities are at a greater risk from biological attacks against people, crops
and livestock and are at greater risk to being exposed to virus' and illnesses
that enter our borders through contaminated food supplies. Project Biosheild will
be instrumental in protecting Americans against the spreading of diseases as weapons;
however, emergency response systems must also address biological attacks through
agricultural imports. The
President's handling of the current national security issues are also appreciated.
The Grange expressed much respect for patience the President has showed towards
the United Nations (UN) in allowing the Iraqi government time to comply with UN
resolutions. Although the U.S. should never rush into war without careful consideration,
we support the President when he said that "whatever action is required, whenever
action is necessary, I will defend the freedom and security of the American people."
In
conclusion, the Grange also submitted a summary of the "Blueprint
for Rural America 2003" in order to share with the President their objectives
for the coming year. Issues addressed in the State of the Union Address touched
upon many issues relevant to the Grange. It is through sharing the Grange's objectives
with the President that the needs of both rural and non-rural communities will
be met, ensuring life, liberty and happiness for all Americans.
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National
Grange Addresses FCC Regarding TV Access
In regards to the Federal Communications
Commission's (FCC) review of broadcast ownership rules, the National Grange urged
the FCC to modify the existing television ownership cap that discriminates against
free over the air broadcast TV. Existing rules limit the number of television
stations that the three major broadcast networks may own. Other major owners of
local television stations, such as major newspaper chains, have fewer restrictions
of the number of stations they may own. The result is that the major broadcast
TV networks are at a substantial disadvantage compared to other local TV station
owners. Of
the existing 20% of the nation's households that rely exclusively on free broadcast
TV services, the majority live in rural areas. Although there has been an increase
in the availability of satellite TV services in rural areas, the costs to install
and maintain these systems remain prohibitive. In addition to monthly service
fees, geographical impediments, such as those caused by mountains, trees and other
obstructions have made utilizing this technology difficult for a large number
of rural residents. Because
of the proliferation of pay TV services and lack of restrictions placed upon them,
they are monopolizing existing local outlets and obtaining a disproportionate
share of quality news, entertainment, public programming and emergency services.
The current national television ownership cap discriminates against free over
the air broadcasting because it measures potential viewing audience share while
the national ownership cap for cable measures actual audience share. With minimal
to no access to satellite and cable TV services, rural Americans are being left
with substandard programming choices.
To
ensure that rural communities have access to relevant information, these caps
must be decreased. It has been demonstrated that network owned and operated stations
actually air more local news than other stations; access to such information is
vital to rural communities that lack access to the new technology. By decreasing
these caps and making it easier for broadcast networks to attain more local stations,
free over the air television services will flourish. The result of loosening restrictions
will enable all Americans to have access to relevant programming and services,
therefore creating a fully informed society.
top Alliance
for Public Technology Supports UNE Reform
The Alliance for Public Technology
(APT) recently urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reform the
current unbundled network element (UNE) to foster greater competition and remove
barriers to the deployment of telecommunications services. The effect of reforming
current policies will create an environment that will benefit all consumers by
offering real competitive choices and access to life enhancing new communications
technologies. The
Alliance for Public Technology (APT) is a nonprofit organization consisting of
public interest groups and individuals. APT's members, including the National
Grange, continue to work together to foster broad access to affordable, usable
information and communications services and technology for the purpose of bringing
better and more affordable health care to all citizens, expanding educational
opportunities for lifelong learning, enabling people with disabilities to function
in ways they otherwise could not, creating opportunities for jobs and economic
advancement, making government more responsive to all citizens and simplifying
access to communications technology. Unbundling
has had a negative impact on the development of telecommunications technologies
in a number of ways. It discourages infrastructure development by allowing competitors
to lease facilities at below-cost rates, therefore removing any incentives for
the incumbent to invest in new technologies allowing competitors to build their
own networks. UNE has also contributed to tremendous job loss within the telecommunications
industry by reducing over 32,000 jobs in 2002. If the goal of universal broadband
deployment is to be attained, there must be incentive on the part of telecommunications
providers to invest in rural communities. To
facilitate competition and deployment, a new regulatory structure must be in place.
This can be achieved by excluding broadband networks and other new technological
developments from unbundling obligations. In addition, certainty and stability
in regulations across jurisdictions must be maintained with states continuing
to possess authority over pricing and performance monitoring. Long term growth
and development of telecommunications infrastructure is critical to our nation's
future. To ensure a level playing field and encourage technical advances within
telecommunications technology, current regulations must be lifted.
top Ethanol
Legislation Introduced to Congress
On January 29th, both Congress and
the Senate introduced legislation (S. 240 and H.R. 465) that would update the
small ethanol producer tax credit program. The program provides a 10-cent per
gallon tax credit for the first 15 million gallons of production by a small plant.
According to Senator Peter Fitzgerald, who initially introduced this bill in 2002, "farm cooperatives can be an efficient way for farmers to trim costs and maximize
income" and that "the tax come shouldn't penalize farmers for pooling their resources
in cooperatives." In the House, newly elected Representative Steve King made this
bill his very first, saying that "it is my hope that as the 108th Congress works
on either an economic stimulus bill or an energy bill that this legislation will
be a part of the package." In
addition to removing barriers experienced by farmer-owned cooperative plants,
both bills would also update the definition of a small ethanol producer from a
maximum of 30 million gallons per year production to 60 million gallons. This
new legislation plays an important role in President Bush's 2004 budget plan.
By extending the income tax credit and excise tax exemption for ethanol producers,
this will allow the United States to be more self sufficient in meeting their
energy needs, protect our environment and enhance the prosperity of ethanol producers.
top In
Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of
former CA Grange Legislative Director, George Dupray. A longtime resident of Fair
Oaks and member of Fair Oaks Grange, he was described as "a rock in the Fair Oaks
community and loved by all." He was a past Master of both Fair Oaks Subordinate
Grange and Sacramento Pomona Grange. He served as Legislative Director of the
California State Grange for ten years, and was elected to the Executive Committee
of the California State Grange in 2001. He took a leave of absence from the Committee
to serve as interim Executive Director of the California State Grange from January
2001 to June 2002. George
was the beloved husband of Marilyn, father of three children, the grandfather
of five and great-grandfather of eight. The George Dupray Memorial Scholarship
has been established by the California Grange Foundation to fund students who
are studying in the Political Science field. Donations may be made to the California
Grange Foundation, 2101 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817.
Don't
Forget to Register.
Don't forget to register for the National Grange's
2003 Legislative Fly-In. Register now. We are
also pleased to announce the introduction of Potomac Grange #1's introduction
of it's Legislative Fly-In Scholarship Program.
The Potomac Grange Fly-In Scholarship will provide a reimbursable grant for up
to four nights at the Club Quarters Hotel in Washington, DC. Although preference
will be given to those new to the Legislative Fly-In, married couples, those under
the age of 35 and/or those who have demonstrated active participation in their
local Grange's legislative program, all Grange members may apply. For more information
or to request an application, please contact Joanne
Manelli at (202) 628-3507 ext. 105.
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