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For Immediate
Release
4/1/09
Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Examines Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts
HARRISBURG – The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Committee examined the effect of the governor’s proposed budget cuts yesterday
during a hearing with a number of statewide leaders in agriculture.
“Many members feel that one of the primary factors in
determining their budget vote will be the fair and equitable funding of
agriculture,” said Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36), who chairs the committee.
“Everyone has to share the pain of budget cuts, but many of us believe that the
agriculture budget has been targeted for deep, painful and unfair reductions in
the governor’s budget proposal when compared to other state agencies.”
Dr. Sherrill Davison, Resident Director of the Pennsylvania
Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University’s New Bolton
Center, and Ag Coalition Chairman Jim Adams were among several participants who
voiced concerns that proposed cuts to the Animal Health and Diagnostic
Commission could harm the state’s ability to deal with an outbreak of salmonella
or other animal or food-borne illnesses.
Dr. Bruce McPheron, Associate Dean of Research and incoming
Dean for Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, testified in support of
restoring funding for agriculture research, stating that every $1 appropriated
to research returns a $20 economic impact to the state. Furmano Foods CEO David
Geise noted that the research funding was a vital component for tomato farmers
to avoid disease and increase yields, making Pennsylvania farmers more
competitive across the nation. The governor’s budget proposal cut 6 percent from
agriculture research programs in Penn State’s budget and eliminated any funds
that could be used for new research projects under the department’s budget.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Pennsylvania Executive Director
Matt Ehrhart also testified that cuts to research and county conservation
districts could hurt the Commonwealth’s ability to meet the nutrient and
sediment requirements under the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. Brenda
Shambaugh of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts criticized
cuts to conservation districts and noted the important role that conservation
districts play in supporting a number of vital programs for landowners,
including increased responsibilities brought by the Marcellus Shale gas deposit.
Pennsylvania Association of Regional Food Banks Executive
Director Sheila Christopher urged increased support for the Farmers’ Market
Nutrition Program and State Food Purchase Program to help food banks meet the
nutritional needs of the growing number of Pennsylvanians who are at risk for
hunger.
Tom Brosius of the American Mushroom Institute noted the
importance of marketing funding from the state and pointed out that more than 60
percent of the nation’s mushrooms are grown in Pennsylvania. Judy Nissley of the
Pennsylvania Winery Association testified that the marketing funding helps to
promote growth in the industry and increase tourism dollars to the state through
events such as wine tours and wine tastings.
FFA Foundation President Jim Shirk and several Pennsylvania
FFA State officers testified on how the program has impacted their lives and
advocated for a restoration of funding for the program in this year’s budget.
The committee also heard testimony from Pennsylvania Farm Bureau State
Governmental Relations Director Joel Rotz, Chester County Economic Development
Council CEO Gary Smith, Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs President
James Davis, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association Executive Director Paul
Lyskava and Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff.
“The hearing provided a wide range of opinions and
information for committee members, and this input will be invaluable as we
continue to work to approve a spending plan that will help the state weather the
recession,” Brubaker said. “I would like to thank all of the individuals who
took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the hearing, and I
appreciate all of the information that was provided to our committee.”
Video links, audio clips and additional information from
the hearing is available online at
senatorbrubaker.com.
Contact:
Kristin
Crawford
(717) 787-4420
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