This week the Colorado House of Representatives will consider HB 1005. HB 1005 repeals HB 1195, signed into law in 2010, which suspended the exemption on state sales and use taxes imposed on certain items, Ag compounds and pesticides, used in agricultural production from the period March 1, 2010, through June 30, 2013. Repeal of HB [...]
Author Archive
19 Mar
Washington Recap
The U.S. Senate passed a three-week spending measure on Thursday to keep the government running through April 8. This measure contained about $6 billion in cuts to the federal budget. The House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Energy and Commerce Committee all held hearing looking at the impact of [...]
18 Mar
State Legislative Update
HB 1123 prohibits financial transfers from severance related funds unto the general fund. This bill has successfully passed the House and will head to the Senate State Affairs Committee. It is being sponsored by Rep. Coram and Sen. Roberts. CFB is supportive.
14 Mar
Another Short Term Extension for the Federal Government
Ove the past few weeks you have seen information regarding the federal budget, CR’s and what is likely to happen. With the last CR extension about to run out last Friday, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) introduced H.J. Res. 48, a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for an additional three [...]
4 Mar
State Legislative update
Bills moving forward….. as we are getting to the half way point of the Colorado 2011 Legislative Session. To date there has been 273 House Bills and 185 Senate Bills plus a handful of Resolutions introduced. That is about 80 or so bills less than there was at this time last session. Many would credit this to [...]
3 Mar
House Ag Committee Hearings
Today I received the follow notice for hearing to be held by the House Agriculutre Committee. WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture announced the following committee schedule.
3 Mar
EPA Announces SPCC Workshops
The past couple weeks I have received calls from CFB members about EPA’s SPCC program. This program is aimed at reducing oil spills and controlling them if they do happen. Depending on how much oil and oil products you store on your farm, this regulations may affect you directly.
3 Mar
The EPA, NPDES pemits, pesticides and you
This winter as you have talked with your friends I am sure that the EPA somehow entered the conversation. Be it spray nozzle regulations, attempts to regulate dust, making sure that water is safe from spilled milk or generally just being a pain and hassle, the EPA seems to be everywhere.
1 Mar
Latest on Possible Government Shutdown
Last week I wrote a piece on The Pulse about a possible government shutdown, this Friday will see the end of the current continuing resolution (CR) that the federal government is currently working under. If Congress is unable to come to terms on another CR by 11:59pm on Friday the government will shut down for [...]
22 Feb
Committee to Hold Oversight Hearing on Interior Department
Today I received the following notice, located below, from the House Natural Resources Committee. This issue is one of great inportance to CFB members because this order basically decalres Congress null and void when determining what is wilderness.
21 Feb
Notes From the House Ag Committee Hearing
HB 1150 – Rep. Becker’s Concerning additional revenues for water storage projects bill was PI’d (LOST) in Committee on Monday. Rep. Becker had worked out an agreement with DNR and been in communication with Rep. Sonnenberg to see this deal through, that if Rep. Becker pulled the bill DNR would require that DOW designate funds [...]
21 Feb
The Federal Budget, the CR, and You
Potential Government Shutdown Could Affect Producers It is strongly advised that if you need to do business with an FSA office, BLM office or any other federal government office, do it before March 4. As you no doubt have heard the House of Representatives spent the majority of last week debating what is known as [...]
18 Feb
Washington Recap
The House of Representatives: House Floor: The House spent the majority of the week considering amendments to H.R. 1, the Continuing Resolutions Act of 2011. This measure would fund the United States government until later in 2011 when the FY2012 federal budget is considered. At the time of writing this, a final vote had not [...]
14 Feb
Budget Day!
President Obama is set to release his $3.73-trillion, 216-page budget for FY 2012 today at 10:30 a.m. est. For the current year, the White House projects a $1.6 trillion deficit. Outlays would drop in 2012 and stabilize in the $3.7 trillion range as deficits fall to $1.1 trillion in 2012 and then $768 billion in 2013. [...]
11 Feb
Washington D.C. Recap
This week was a light week in Washington, DC because of CPAC holding their annual meeting. House of Representatives: House Floor: The House met for 2 days this week. The House began debate on extending expiring provision of the USAPatriot Act.
25 Jan
Colorado Farm Bureau President Don Shawcroft Statement Regarding the 2011 State of the Union Address
“Tonight President Obama laid out an ambitious agenda for the 112th Congress. The topics included the need for increased science and math curriculum, increased use of biofuels and clean energy, relief from Section 1099 of the Healthcare Reform bill, pushing trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia and reducing the burden of government regulation. [...]
24 Jan
Colorado House Ag Committee Recap
House Ag Committee met on Monday, January 24th, to address its first three bills under the new chairman Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling) and vice chairman Rep. Randy Baumgardner (R-Hot Sulfur Springs). They welcomed many new committee members as the Republicans hold a 7-6 majority over the Democrats. They passed HB 1004 (Farm Truck Registration) which CFB has [...]
24 Jan
Washington Recap
Action was light in Washington, DC for the week of January 17th. The only major action taken in either chamber was in the House of Representatives, who voted for repeal of Obamacare by a vote of 245-189. As was expected the Colorado House delegation was split with Congressmen Lamborn, Coffman, Gardner and Tipton voting in [...]
15 Dec
Call Today, Tax extenders in the House!!!!
Senate Tax extenders in the House!!!!!!!!!! Today, December 15, 2010 the Senate passed the tax extenders bill by a vote of 81-19. The House is projected to begin consideration of this legislation tomorrow, December 16. The Senate version of the tax extenders bill contains reforms to the estate tax. The Senate language would tax families [...]
10 Dec
Washington Update
There have been many moving parts in Washington, DC this week between a Continuing Resolution, Food Safety and extending the Bush tax cuts. Continuing Resolution and Food Safety Per this current fiscal year, none of the twelve FY 2011 spending bills have been enacted by Congress. As such a continuing resolution was introduced earlier this [...]
3 Dec
Washington Recap
I wanted to fill you in on two issues that have had recent action taken on them in Washington, DC. First is the Food Safety bill. The House will not take up S. 510 (the bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday) because of certain revenue provisions contained in the bill. Sec. 107 authorizes revenue-generating fees [...]
29 Nov
Congress Back for Lame-Duck Session
Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill today for round two of the lame-duck session of Congress, with some talk that the work won’t be complete until the week of Christmas. High on the agenda: fiscal year 2011 spending, expiring 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, tax incentives (including those for biofuels), the food safety bill and expiring [...]
4 Nov
HSUS, Campaigns, and You
If you haven’t heard, the state of Missouri passed Proposition B by a vote of 51.6 % to 48.4%. This measure was aimed at bringing increased regulation to commercial dog breeders and was heavily supported by HSUS. The fact that HSUS supported Prop B is not a big story. They will support almost anything that [...]
27 Sep
Washington Recap and Forecast
After a longer than usually August recess Congress reconvened the 2nd week of September. As is normal in an election year, Congress has not handled major policy. Instead it is focusing on smaller, noncontroversial bills which members can campaign on. With the election right around the corner (November 2nd is Election Day) this looks like [...]
6 Aug
DC Recap
House of Representatives: House floor: The House of Representatives adjourned on Friday, June 30 for August recess. With Senate passage of the H.R. 1586, the House will reconvene on August 10, 2010 for a short duration to consider amendments made by the Senate to H.R. 1586. House committee: No House committees met for the week [...]
30 Jul
Washington D.C. Recap
House of Representatives: House Floor: H.R. 3534-the Cutting Loose Energy and Resources Act. H.R. 3534 puts the 9.2 million jobs supported by American oil and natural gas at risk by raising taxes, blocking American energy development, continuing a moratorium on deepwater drilling and completely eliminating economic liability caps. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that [...]
1 Jul
DC Recap
House Floor: The House of Representatives worked on legislation affecting the financial sector and unemployment this week. House Committees: House Agriculture On July 1, 2010 that House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research, held a hearing to review the administration and delivery of conservation programs. On June 30, 2010 the House Agriculture [...]
25 Jun
Washington Recap
House Floor: H.R. 5569-To extend the authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program- H.R. 5569 would provide a temporary extension of the National Flood Insurance Program through September 30, 2010. The reauthorization would be retroactive to May 31, 2010, and the bill would reduce the program’s borrowing authority by $50 million. House Committees:
18 Jun
A weekly recap of action in Washington, DC
House Floor: H.Res. 1368 would resolve that the House of Representatives: • Supports the goals of National Dairy Month • Encourages States and local governments to observe National Dairy Month with appropriate activities and events that promote the dairy industry • Recognizes the important role that the dairy industry has played in the economic and [...]
Shawn Martini
Chad Vorthmann
Rachel Vermillion
Garin Vorthmann
Crystal Korrey
Troy B
El Sagehorn
Brent Boydston
