Assembly budget on key ag related issues

State Budget and Agriculture

By a 50-48 margin the state assembly did pass the 2010-2011 state budget.
And while some concerns have been voiced over what is in the budget, many in agriculture were happy over what was left out.
Eliminated from the Budget was a $1,200 fee which would have been required for
wastewater permit fees on large scale farms. Also eliminated was a proposed slaughtering fee to help fund animal health inspector costs in the state.
Added to the budget was an ammendment that calls for morel accountability by the DNR by requiring them to report how additional revenue fees from CAFO
permits are to be spent. The budget also includes provision dealing with a state
Workings Lands Initative to protect our states farm and forest land