Category: Coalitions – Agricultural

101 Million Americans Received Food Aid Last Year

NFRW Political Briefing

U. S. Department of Agriculture statistics show nearly one-third of Americans received government-funded food aid in 2012. With roughly a dozen federal food assistance programs operating today, 59 percent of American households participate in one of the four largest food assistance programs – food stamps, school breakfasts, school lunches, and WIC – and end up receiving benefits from two or more programs.

In general, the federal government funds roughly 80 welfare programs including 12 educational assistance programs and 11 housing assistance programs at a cost of nearly $1 trillion a year.

For decades, the federal government has been pouring taxpayer dollars into an increasing number of welfare programs in an attempt to tackle poverty. Yet this system has proven ineffective at helping individuals and families reach self-sufficiency.

The size of today’s welfare system clearly demonstrates the need for both opportunity-based economic policies and critical positive reforms to promote self-sufficiency through work, personal responsibility and human dignity.

House Defeats Farm Bill

PFB Express logo

Concerns over cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and overall spending, sunk the 2013 Farm Bill in the House of Representatives. The bill failed 195 to 234, with every Democratic member of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation voting against the bill. Pennsylvania Republicans Scott Perry, Pat Meehan, Bill Shuster, Keith Rothfus, and Joseph Pitts also voted against the bill. American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman expressed disappointment following the bill’s defeat. “It was a balanced bill that would have provided much needed risk management tools and a viable economic safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers,” Stallman said. An amendment to the Farm Bill that would have added new work requirements of individuals receiving food assistance siphoned Democratic support from the bill and some Republican lawmakers also sought more reform, AFBF said. Members of the Senate previously adopted their own versions of the Farm Bill, a bipartisan move that cut spending but also gave strong safety net and risk management tools to farmers. Prior to the House vote on Thursday, several news agencies reported the President was considering a veto of the bill because of cuts to food assistance.

Robert DeSousa addressed the PA Ag Republicans representing Senator Pat Toomey

DeSousa for Toomey 2013 PAR Mtg

Robert DeSousa spoke representing Senator Pat Toomey.  Senator Toomey was unable to attend the PA Ag Republican meeting, but will be attending the PA Farm show later in the week.  He thanked everyone for their support of Senator Toomey and stated, “ we can’t do it without the rural farm voters.”  He discussed that government needs to stay out of rural farm family lives and let them run their farm and family.  We must strip our zealous regulations.  Colonel DeSousa stated that Senator Pat Toomey has a “Had Enough” place on his website.  When you have had enough and the government is trying order senseless regulations on you, you can log on to this website and click had enough and enter and your thoughts on regulations.  Some of the other topics he discussed included: the biggest budget ever and the national debt (currently $16 thousand billion).

GT Thompson attended the 2013 Annual Meeting of the PA Ag Republicans

GT 2013 Annual Meeting

Congressman Glenn (GT) Thompson also addressed the group at the 2013 PA Ag Republican Annual Meeting.  He thanked everyone who supports PA’s number one industry, agricultural, in any way.  He is honored to serve on the Ag Committee for the third term; and also serving on the conservation, forestry subcommittee.  Conservation pays and they are looking at safety nets.  A one year extension was put on the farm bill.  There needs to be more free market and less subsidies.  Eight dollar a gallon milk would crush the market.  There is a need to work on reauthorization of the farm bill and they hope to do so in the first quarter.  There are two main issues with the farm bill, supply and management and food stamps.  Food stamps have increased 275% over ten years and are in the farm bill.  He spoke on taxes and thanked everyone for their support and work.  Mike announced that once again there will be a fundraiser breakfast for GT the Wednesday of Ag Progress Days.

Lt Gov. Jim Cawley spoke to the PA Ag Republicans at their 2013 annual meeting

Cawley 2013 Annual Mtg PAR

Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley was present and spoke to the group.  He and Governor Tom Corbett are very thankful for everything the PA Ag Republicans have done for the ag community.  One in every seven jobs in Pennsylvania has a link either directly or indirectly to agricultural.  The group was very glad to hear Lt. Cawley report that the inheritance tax, otherwise known as the death tax is now dead in Pennsylvania;   families can focus on improving the family farm rather than focusing on how to pay taxes when a loved one dies.  He also reported that since he and Gov. Tom Corbett took office in 2012 2,000 acres have been preserved through Farmland Preservation.  Those 2,000 acres are on 22 farms in 17 counties.  This program preserves a way of life, not just farming and all Pennsylvanians benefit.  One of the first bills Corbett signed as governor was the PA Preferred; this was very important to him being the emphasis was on products in PA; made in PA makes a difference.  Lt Gov. Cawley spoke on many topics of a variety of items happening in Harrisburg and how it affects the agricultural community; some items of interest were pensions, transportation, PSU, privatizing liquor stores, and privatizing the lottery system.