February 13, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 7
GFB DAY AT CAPITOL SPOTLIGHTS AGRICULTURAL ISSUES Georgia Farm Bureau members traveled to Atlanta Feb. 12 for Georgia Farm Bureau Day at the Capitol where the organization was recognized in the Senate, and GFB members met with their legislators to discuss ag issues. “Today you showed the people in Atlanta the strength of Georgia agriculture and the strength of Georgia Farm Bureau. You bring the heart and soul of rural Georgia to Atlanta,” GFB President Zippy Duvall said. “Thank you for giving up your time to do such an important thing as coming to talk to your legislators.” Gov. Nathan Deal discussed the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption (GATE) program, budget allocations he has made for agriculture, and the Flint River Drought Protection Act (FRDPA) while speaking at the luncheon GFB hosted for its members, state officials and legislators at the Georgia Freight Depot. Deal “As I told rural legislators recently, we have to be careful that we do not abuse the provisions of this [GATE] legislation. We can’t afford abuses because if it becomes apparent that they are happening then we will see action, I think, to retract what has been done on a good faith basis. It will require all of us to act in good faith to make sure the system is not abused,” Deal said. The Georgia Department of Revenue has released a list of ag inputs eligible for sales tax exemptions. The list was printed in the Feb. 8 issue of the GFB Legislative Report and can be seen at http://www.gfb.org/legislative/documents/GFB%20Report%202-8-13.pdf. Deal also outlined funding he included in the fiscal year 2014 budget proposal he presented to the General Assembly in January. Deal’s budget includes $500,000 to support the implementation of local water plans proposed by the regional water councils; a $25 million bond package for water supply projects, mostly in the form of reservoirs; $2.85 million in funding for the veterinary diagnostic labs in Athens and Tifton and significant money for the new veterinary school being built at the University of Georgia. Deal mentioned work the Environmental Protection Division is doing to reform the FRDPA including studies to improve stream flow and protect the river while providing adequate water for farmers. “I think if we all work together towards this common goal good things will happen,” Deal said. GFB members also heard about Senate Bill 97, which would allow Georgia beef producers to hold a referendum to decide if they want to create a state agricultural commodity commission for beef. Sen. John Wilkinson, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said his committee unanimously passed the bill Feb. 11. It will now go to the Senate floor for a vote, which Wilkinson said could happen in the next week.