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JULY 2006 |
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| Grange Calls for Essential Air Service Funding |
The National Grange joined other rural interest groups in a letter to Senator Christopher Bond (MO), Chairman of the Senate Sub-Committee on Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development supporting funding of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program at its authorized level of $127 million. The letter also went to Senator Patty Murray, (WA), ranking member of the Committee. Congressman Joe Knollenberg (MI) Chair of the House Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, Judiciary, District of Colombia, and Congressman John W. Olver (MA) Ranking Member Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, Judiciary, District of Colombia, also received the letter.
The Bush Administration’s budget for FY 2007 reduces EAS from last year’s appropriation of $110 million to $50 million, a 55 percent cut. This would result in 62 of the 152 EAS communities losing all commercial air service. The remaining 90 communities would be forced to contribute either a 10% or 25% match or lose EAS service. Many of these local communities are in no position financially to provide this match resulting in loss of service. This will have a devastating impact on the EAS communities and the surrounding regions, with many rural communities facing further isolation and much more difficulty in attracting new jobs and businesses.
The communities located in the rural areas of this country suffer from economic isolationism, scarce resources, and the loss of farms and younger families not willing to stay. The creation of economic opportunities can ameliorate these difficulties. Providing service such as EAS is one of the only ways to help our rural communities.
The other associations to sign the letter were the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Regional Councils, National Association of Development Organization, the American Public Works Association, the Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference, the Regional Airline Partners, and Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed
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| U.S. Ag Trade Coalition Calls for Ambition in WTO Trade Talks |
The Ag Trade Coalition, representing over 40 agricultural organizations, including the National Grange, supports an ambitious and balanced outcome in the Doha Round agricultural trade negotiations across three main areas of concern: market access, domestic support and export competition. Members of the coalition seek real reform in the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations that includes substantial and ambitious expansion in access to markets on a fair and transparent basis through aggressive tariff reduction and tariff-quota expansion, the meaningful and substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support, and the elimination of export subsidies.
The Ag Trade Coalition believes that these objectives can only be realized by a comprehensive and balanced approach to the agricultural negotiations by all WTO member countries as outlined in the framework agreement. U.S. agriculture cannot afford an outcome that only provides minimal gains. As a result, the Coalition urges all WTO members to reinvigorate these negotiations in line with the Doha mandate agreed to by all trade ministers in 2001 to expand agricultural trade.
For more information, visit the Ag Trade website at www.AgTrade.us. |
Grange Comments on Immigration Reform |
National Grange President William Steel recently wrote to U. S. President George Bush, commending him for his Administration’s principled stand on immigration reform, as it was outlined in his televised address to the nation on May 15, 2006. Steel stated that National Grange agrees with the President’s comment that America is a. “…lawful society as well as a welcoming society at the same time.” In concert with that theme, Steel urged President Bush to incorporate the adopted policies of the National Grange on this important topic in any final immigration policy reforms that his Administration implements or supports. A similar letter was sent to members of the U.S. Senate on the eve of their consideration of S. 2611, which passed the Senate by a vote of 62-36.
Realizing that our borders are not fully secure, the National Grange supports the efforts of the federal government to increase border security, including the deployment of military resources to assist the U.S. Boarder Patrol. The Grange also urged the Administration and Congress to reform immigration laws providing for an orderly, well regulated flow of legal immigrants and guest workers to meet the needs of our country and ensure a stable workforce.Sen. George Voinovich (OH) recently responded to the Grange position letter on immigration to explain his position on immigration reform. “While we must work to keep America safe and secure, I believe that we also must preserve those values that have made America a melting pot of nationalities and cultures,” the Senator wrote. “We must protect the integrity of our boarders and ensure the safety of our citizens. I also recognize that we are a nation of immigrants who have been and continue to be an important part of our social fabric, out history and our economy. I am pleased that the Senate was able to work in a bi-partisan manner to produce a comprehensive immigration bill. As Congress continues to consider this issue, I will bear your comments in mind,” Sen. Voinovich concluded .
National Grange policy on this issue can be found in the Labor and Judiciary section of the National Grange 2006 Legislative Policies and Grassroots Training Manual at www.nationalgrange.org. |
| Grange Supports Telecommunications Reform Legislation |
The National Grange recently corresponded with Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and with Representatives John Peterson (R-PA) and Allen Boyd (D-FL), co-chairmen of the Rural Caucus concerning S. 2686 - the Communications, Consumers’ Choice and Broadband Development Act of 2006. The National Grange urged these leaders to incorporate the views and interests of our nation’s farming and rural communities into the final version of comprehensive telecommunications legislation adopted this year. In the letter, National Grange outlined five of our priorities for 2006 pertaining to communications including: expanding telecommunications services in rural areas; deployment of advanced telecommunications services and networks; maintaining the universal service fund and access to basic communications services; enhanced consumer protection and community standards, and preventing economic concentration in the ever changing age of advanced communications services. The National Grange stressed that universal access to telecommunications services must be available to rural communities at affordable costs. The Grange urged support for legislation assuring every rural community access to advanced telecommunications services. The Grange further urged support for sufficient federal funding to provide adequate educational and financial resources for a transition to digital broadcast television in 2009 or later.
On a related note, the National Grange also recently expressed strong support for U. S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 5252, the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006 (COPE), national video franchise legislation to open local cable TV markets to competition. This legislation will expand the availability and choice of video services available in farming and rural communities by allowing non-traditional providers to compete directly with cable TV companies serving all segments of the market, urban, suburban and rural. The Grange urged the Senate Commerce Committee to include provisions similar to H.R. 5252 as part of its telecommunications reform legislation this year because this bill gives choices in video delivery systems and reduces cable and satellite television service rates. Video choice legislation will give rural Americans more choices and cost-effective access to broadband communication.
One issue that the Grange believes may hinder pro-competitive telecommunications reform proposals are provisions addressing “network neutrality.” As currently drafted, the vaguely worded network neutrality provisions would address several complicated and mostly hypothetical concepts by bestowing unnecessarily broad content and price regulation authorities over Internet network providers on the Federal Communications Commission. Whatever the merits of changing the status quo defining the operating principals of the Internet, the critical issue is greater access to advanced telecommunications services for rural America. Laws must be enacted as quickly as possible to achieve this goal and not be delayed by language that has nothing to do with expanding access to advanced telecommunications services in rural areas.
Another area where there is potential conflict between the goals of network neutrality and expanded delivery of telecommunications services in rural communities is in the area of telemedicine. Telemedicine services in rural areas, where distance can be a huge obstacle to obtaining medical care, will be an important contributor to the quality of life in rural communities in the 21 st Century. Applying the vague principals of network neutrality to telemedicine could adversely influence contractual negotiations among medical service providers, government agencies, insurers and patients.
The National Grange believes that the national transition to DTV will be one of the most significant and important developments in the history of telecommunications service in the United States. The Grange supports extending the deadline for the mandatory transition to DTV beyond 2009. A large percentage of rural America could lose their television service after the scheduled DTV transition date. Congress should extend the final mandatory DTV transition to as late a date as possible. Legislation should also address the need for consumer education programs, so that all consumers will be fully aware of the DTV transition. Legislation should also provide greater resources to address the expenses of the DTV transition. Adequate government compensation and mitigation for the taking of this public trust is necessary and appropriate for all rural TV viewers. Finally, the current “must carry” rules that require cable and satellite services to carry locally produced programming must be extended to “multicast” broadcasts by local TV stations. The Grange believes that a multicasting “must carry” would spur the creation of additional local news, weather, traffic, sports and community programming across the country so that free over-the-air service would remain a cost effective and viable alternative to cable for rural communities that currently lack access to cable service.
The National Grange opposes the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed connection-based “Phone Flat Tax” as it will shift funding for the Universal Service Fund from telecommunications providers with high volume, long distance profits to rural and “necessity” phone customers who can least afford additional costs on their basic telephone service. The Grange urged the Senate Commerce Committee to oppose further consideration of connection based phone access charges as a means of funding the Universal Service Fund and maintain a volume of usage measure for Universal Service Fund collection.
Finally, the National Grange believes that telecommunications reform should adopt guidelines for workable standards that protect children from inappropriate content, combat incidents of Internet fraud, reduce spam and increase privacy and security for individuals who use the Internet. The Grange supports maintaining the FCC as the lead agency to scrutinize media and/or telecommunications mergers resulting in consolidated control of multiple media or telecommunications platforms. We believe that the U.S. Department of Justice should provide a supporting and technical assistance role to the FCC in analysis of proposed mergers. |
| Grange Endorses Natural Gas Provisions in Congressional Energy Package |
One hundred and four members of the Agriculture Energy Alliance (AEA), including the National Grange, recently expressed concern over high natural gas prices and the negative effects these prices have on the agricultural industry. In a letter to Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Speaker of the House of Representatives, these groups urged consideration of natural gas supply provisions in a comprehensive energy legislation now under consideration and asked for legislation that allows for an increased supply of natural gas. The group pointed out that agriculture already conserves energy, but needs an increased supply of natural gas to be competitive in the global market. The Grange also supports the development of offshore natural gas reserves and the exploration and production of natural gas in the OCS to improve energy independence and maintain our abundant, affordable and healthy food supply. |
| Grange Joins Coalition for Interstate Shipment of State Inspected Meat |
A broad-based coalition of agricultural and farm organizations is urging Congress to take prompt action on legislation introduced June 15 that would allow interstate sales of state-inspected meat and poultry products. S. 3519, the Agricultural Small Business Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2006, was introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Herb Kohl (D-WI).
Agriculture coalition members said the legislation would resolve a basic inequity, which has existed since 1967. Removing the current ban on interstate sales will level the economic playing field for small business, spur more competition in the marketplace, create a more uniform inspection system and further enhance food safety and consumer confidence in the food supply. The coalition is also launching a national grassroots campaign to support passage of the bill.
State and local agricultural groups have long sought to fix current law, which is outdated and restricts free markets. The 1967 and 1968 Meat and Poultry Acts prohibit state-inspected products (beef, poultry, pork, lamb, and goat) from being sold in interstate commerce. However, the prohibition does not apply to “non-amenable” products—such as venison, pheasant, quail, rabbit, and a host of others. These products are normally regulated by state inspection programs, yet can be shipped in interstate commerce without restriction. The agricultural coalition pointed out that it does not make sense to allow these products to be shipped across state borders while beef, poultry, pork, lamb and goats cannot be shipped across state borders.
S. 3519 would expand marketing opportunities for farmers and ranchers, especially in niche markets. Without change, growing concentration in the meat processing sector will continue to leave smaller farmers and ranchers with fewer buyers for their livestock and poultry. Increased markets will stimulate small business sales, expand rural development, and increase local tax bases—all of which will benefit farmers, ranchers, processors, related industries, and consumers. Three USDA advisory committees have recommended that the ban on interstate sales be removed. |
| Grange Calls for Medicare Part D Enrollment Deadline Extension |
The National Grange was joined by 14 other associations concerned with Medicare access and urged Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, to support S. 2810. This legislation eliminates the late enrollment penalty imposed on Medicare beneficiaries who did not enroll in Medicare Part D during the initial enrollment period. The Coalition stated that there are some success stories in Part D enrollment, but there have also been some problems. Additionally, despite concentrated education efforts, including Medicare Part D outreach programs sponsored by hundreds of local Granges around the country this year, many citizens still missed the May 15, 2006 enrollment deadline. |
State Legislative Round Up
Maine Hosts Legislative Luncheon and Gubernatorial Candidates Debate |
Grange Month 2006 was a busy time for the Maine State Grange’s legislative program. On Tuesday April 11, the Maine State Grange held their annual legislative luncheon at the Maine State Grange Headquarters in state capitol of Augusta. Members of the State Grange legislative and agriculture committees served lunch to approximately 220 members of the state legislature, their staff, legislative pages and families. Later that month on April 26, the Maine State Grange Agriculture Committee and Legislative Committee hosted a Gubernatorial Candidates Brunch at the State Grange headquarters that was organized and sponsored by the Maine Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program. Gubernatorial candidates from the Republican party, the Democratic party and the Green party addressed the forum and answered questions from the assembled group which included not only Grange and Farm Bureau members but several state legislators as well. |
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