REVITALIZING FAMILY FARM AGRICULTURE

Agricultural and Food Policy,

What’s Ahead for Farm Programs?

At a family gathering over the long Memorial Day week-end, a shirttail relative used this for a conversation starter: “So, have you got the new farm bill figured out?” My response was a quick and unequivocal “no.” In fact, the whole process becomes more uncertain as the Democrats assume majority control of the U.S. Senate. The House Agriculture Committee originally had planned to complete at least the commodity titles (sections) of a new farm bill by July 11, 2001. More recently, the House target date has been pushed back to August. The leadership on that panel still holds out hope that new commodity provisions might be applicable for 2002 crops, even though the current farm bill runs through next year

EC95-815 Extending the Safe Drinking Water Act: Issues and Alternatives

Author\u27s note: This publication was written in the months immediately prior to the beginning of the 104th Congress in January, 1995. While the basic issues have not changed, the schedule for reauthorization of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the approach to issues may have been altered by the change in political-party leadership in the Congress. For example, contamination standards for drinking water may become a part of general risk-assessment legislation in 1995. In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), P.L. 93-523. Its purpose was to protect the nation\u27s drinking water from harmful biological and chemical contaminants. The act also addressed groundwater protection, specifically providing for controls on the underground injection of wastes, e.g., from oil-drilling, that might contaminate water supplies. Under the act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was given responsibility for establishing quality standards and treatment requirements for drinking water. States were asked to implement national standards and enforce compliance

Farm Bill Moves to Fast Track

Time to fish or cut bait with respect to a new farm bill. Six months ago, I would have bet on bait-cutting. Now, I’m not so sure. We just might go fishing before the year is over. History is on the side of tardy completion of farm bills. In 1985 and 1990, bills were signed into law just days before the December 31 expiration of the old legislation. Then, in 1995, deliberations lagged even more. That year’s farm bill was not completed until April, 1996. (Subsequently, it has come to be known as the 1996--not the 1995--farm bill). Current legislation does not expire until December, 2002. Thus, it would be quite a change from the recent pattern to have a new farm bill approved a full year ahead of time. Why is that even a possibility? Two responses seem appropriate. First, agricultural leaders in Congress concede that the current legislation is not working particularly well. This year will be the fourth straight year for late-season “emergency” payments to farmers. Critics say we should not start another crop year (2002) with an inadequate government safety net, taking a chance that supplemental payments will be approved

G84-729 Financing Roads, Streets and Highways in Nebraska (Revised August 1992)

This is one of a series of NebGuides on financing state and local government. This publication focuses on roads, streets and highways. Roads, streets and highways are among the most important public goods provided by government. Public goods are items whose availability can\u27t be limited to those who specifically pay for them. In the case of roads, collective support for an adequate surface transportation system is long-standing, extending from the rutted trails of colonial America to the interstate highways of today

G84-732 Property Taxes in Nebraska (Revised September 1992)

This is one of a series of NebGuides on financing state and local government. This publication describes how property taxes support local government functions. The property tax is the primary source of revenue for more than 3,000 units of local government in Nebraska, including school districts, counties and municipalities. In 1991, statewide property tax levies totalled $1.257 billion, a sum that approximated the combined revenues from state income and sales taxes

The method of philosophy

This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

G84-729 Financing Roads, Streets and Highways in Nebraska (Revised August 1992)

This is one of a series of NebGuides on financing state and local government. This publication focuses on roads, streets and highways. Roads, streets and highways are among the most important public goods provided by government. Public goods are items whose availability can\u27t be limited to those who specifically pay for them. In the case of roads, collective support for an adequate surface transportation system is long-standing, extending from the rutted trails of colonial America to the interstate highways of today

G84-732 Property Taxes in Nebraska (Revised September 1992)

This is one of a series of NebGuides on financing state and local government. This publication describes how property taxes support local government functions. The property tax is the primary source of revenue for more than 3,000 units of local government in Nebraska, including school districts, counties and municipalities. In 1991, statewide property tax levies totalled $1.257 billion, a sum that approximated the combined revenues from state income and sales taxes