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Rising taxes for farmers factor in loss By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Dennis and Pat Boerst, both of Irish descent, (along with a little German) enjoy a bit of gab after a Jiggs Dinner held at the East Toledo Senior Center.(Press photo by Ken Grosjean)
Food labeling bill stalls in Senate A bill that would establish a national, but voluntary, standard for labeling of bio-engineered food products stalled Wednesday in the U.S. Senate when a cloture motion to end debate fell by one vote. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, who chairs the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, said the bill represents a “true compromise” and establishes a balance between consumers’ right to know and ensuring an even playing field in the marketplace. Roberts’ proposal amends sections of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and preempts any state law requiring the labeling of food or seed that is genetically engineered. That provision is significant in the eyes of food producers and consumer groups as some states have had initiatives on the ballot requiring such labeling. Vermont, for example, has approved a labeling requirement set to go into effect in July. In his opening remarks to the Senate, Roberts said growers are being asked to produce more safe and affordable food. “At the same time, they are facing
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...they should be able to make educated decisions and not be told to keep quiet and eat what they’re told.
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By Larry Limpf News Editor news@presspublications.com
increased challenges to production, including limited land and water resources, uncertain weather patterns, and pest and disease issues. Agriculture biotechnology has become a valuable tool in ensuring the success of the American farmer in meeting the challenge of increasing yield in a more efficient, safe, and responsible manner,” he said. “I also hear, and I do understand the concern from some of my colleagues about
consumers and available information about our food. Some consumers want to know more about ingredients. This is a good thing. Consumers should take an interest in their food, where it comes from, and the farmers and ranchers that produce their food. I can assure you, the most effective tool consumers have to influence our food system, or to know more about their food, is by voting with their pocketbooks in the grocery stores and supermarkets.” Within two years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would be tasked with establishing a national voluntary standard for bio-engineered foods, Roberts said, adding the standard would be based on science. As the bill headed for a vote in the agriculture committee earlier this month, the committee’s ranking Democratic member, Debbie Stabenow, of Michigan, said a “patchwork” of state labeling laws is not a viable solution but neither is a federal voluntary system. “A voluntary program is not enough to meet consumer demand,” she said. Consumers Union also supports mandatory labeling. Citing CU’s own polling and that of other organizations, the vast majority of consumers want genetically
Voters in the Woodmore district Tuesday rejected a renewal of an emergency levy that generates $600,000 annually. School board president Joe Liszak attributed the loss to lingering questions residents have about the district’s financial situation. “I heard some people say the board still doesn’t know how much more money the district will get from CAUV (Current Agricultural Use Valuation) appraisals yet. And I think that was a factor,” he said. “The other thing is our financial statements are not balanced yet.” In Sandusky County, the vote tally was 732 – against to 567 for, according to the unofficial results. In the Ottawa County portion of the district, it was closer: 554 – against to 527 for. “This board has only been in place a few months and we’re going to work harder,” Liszak said, adding he anticipates the board deciding to go back on the ballot in November. “We have about six months to address these concerns and in that time we’ll know what our CAUV revenues will be and hopefully get ourselves balanced. We’re not far off but we need to be balanced.” For some in the agricultural sector, property taxes for land enrolled in the CAUV program have more than doubled and despite efforts by the school board and administration to make the district’s finances more transparent, residents are wary of approving levies, Liszak said. “I completely understand,” he said. “It is a significant burden on the farmers. They also want us to be accountable.” Eastwood renews income tax Fresh off last week’s renewal of an income tax that generates about $2 million annually for the Eastwood School District, superintendent Brent Welker is already thinking ahead to the year 2026. Eastwood voters Tuesday renewed a 1 percent income tax; 1,636 for to 1,436 against, according to unofficial results of the Wood County Board of Elections “This Continued on page 2
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These contaminated recyclables, unfortunately, often end up in landfills... Beth Porter See page 11
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