Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Thursday, May 15, 2008
Ron Kind rips farm bill; Tim Walz pleased
U.S. Rep. Ron Kind went down swinging Wednesday in his fight against a compromise farm bill that passed the House.
“This bill was well designed to avoid every opportunity for serious reform of wasteful, outdated subsidy programs while actually piling on additional layers of unnecessary spending,” said Kind, D-La Crosse, at a news conference in Washington before the 318-106 vote.
“Commodity prices are through the roof and yet we are still funneling billions of dollars to farm households making up to $2.5 million a year in profit. I challenge any member of Congress to justify these outrageous payments to their constituents who are right now struggling with the highest food and fuel costs ever,” Kind said.
Kind’s opponents in November concur with his opposition to the compromise Farm Bill.
Asked about his position on the Farm Bill, Republican Paul Stark of Eau Claire, Wis., said as a proponent of the Fair Tax, “I don’t feel the federal government should be involved in subsidizing any one sector or individual.”
Libertarian Kevin Barrett of Lone Rock, Wis., said last week he supports Kind’s agricultural policy, though it “could be improved by an effort to bring back hemp for Wisconsin farmers.”
U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., voted for the bill and issued a statement saying he’s “especially pleased that the Farm Bill includes several key provisions I authored. This bill will provide more flexibility for Minnesota’s farmers, who will be able to plant more fruits and vegetables, instead of being locked into planting what the government requires.”
Walz added, “This Farm Bill includes a section I added which will make it easier for southeastern Minnesota’s organic producers to participate in the Farm Bill’s conservation programs.”
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