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Farmers Union, Farm Bureau back similar legislative initiatives Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Agri News staff writer
The legislative priorities of Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Farm Bureau are similar for the session that opens March 1.
Both organizations support the dairy investment tax credit and hope dollars will be found to help producers who want to invest in their operations.
Both support property tax reform. Their members are concerned about rising property taxes and rising property values.
Minnesota Farm Bureau is pursuing three categories of property tax reform, said MFBF public policy director Chris Radatz. The organization supports removing the debt service levy for schools from agricultural land, an extension of the 2001 legislation that removed school excess operating levies from agricultural land.
Second, MFBF supports increasing the homestead credit so more property qualifies for taxation at the lower class rate.
Likewise, MFU supports reviewing the homestead credit, said Thom Petersen, MFU government relations director. Some counties in central Minnesota saw 20 percent increases in property taxes, Petersen said.
Third, Farm Bureau members support adjusting the debt service equalization aid so more districts qualify. Debt service equalization aid is state money paid to help property-poor school districts pay for new buildings. When the law first went into effect, 80 percent of districts qualified. Now, only about 25 percent qualify.
Eminent domain reform is another critical issue for both organizations. The two have joined a coalition of other groups urging reform.
It's imperative that eminent domain not be used for economic development, Radatz said. Government shouldn't take private property from one individual to give to another.
There's a good chance something will happen on eminent domain, he said, because there is broad support for change. An American Farm Bureau Federation survey found 80 percent of people nationally support eminent domain for public benefit, but don't support it for economic development.
In addition to strengthening private property rights, Farmers Union also says farmers must be fairly compensated when land is taken for a public use.
An issue that failed last session, the Clean Water Legacy initiative, is expected to be debated. Both organizations support the legislation aimed at cleaning up impaired waters in the state, but how it is paid for is critical.
Both favor a general fund solution, but a variety of other funding mechanisms will be discussed, including a constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the state sales tax. It's important to pass the legislation because the longer it's delayed, the bigger problems will be, Radatz said.
The good news for farmers is that while they will likely have to pay their part to fund the program, they may also qualify for grants and loans to help them correct pollution problems, Petersen said. There should also be more money for technical assistance.
On the Web:
Minnesotans for Eminent Domain Reform, www.mnedr.com
Minnesota Farm Bureau, www.fbmn.org/
Minnesota Farmers Union, www.mfu.org/ |
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