Say What? Letters, e-mails, posts and comments

Last November’s election significantly changed the landscape in Washington, D.C. Republicans gained control of the House. Democrats retained control of the Senate, but just barely. We have yet to see what impact that may have on the political climate on Capitol Hill.

In a Republican-controlled House, expect to see more small business-friendly legislation aimed at increasing loan opportunities and investment in start-ups. The GOP will emphasize the toll that tax rates take on small business. Economic security and job creation should take center stage, highlighting small businesses as employers and as engines of economic growth.

Immigration reform
Many of the new legislators campaigned on a conservative immigration platform. With an enforcement-first mentality, many lawmakers will push for more aggressive tactics against illegal immigrants. As a result, both comprehensive reform and AgJOBS, which the floral industry has supported for many years, appear to be dead for the foreseeable future.

Estate tax relief
President Obama signed into law the tax bill that sets the estate tax at a rate of 35 percent and an exemption level of $5 million. While this was a positive step forward, the rate and exemption levels remain in place for only two years. The industry needs to continue to work hard at making the estate tax relief permanent.

2012 Farm Bill
For the first time the 2008 Farm Bill included specific specialty crop-related provisions thanks to the work of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, including SAF. One of the most important developments was new funding to USDA-APHIS for improved pest and disease prevention and management.

The next Farm Bill is due in 2012. Although Democratic chairmen of the agriculture subcommittees were major supporters of specialty crops in the past, their power is now reduced. Farm Bill monies can be targeted for cuts because they are discretionary and not mandatory, so the outlook for specialty crop funding is not good.

Quarantines and invasiveness
As global trade increases, the pressure on the ornamentals industry has intensified to stop or control the movement of invasives that travel with plants and flowers.
SAF continues to devote considerable resources to representing the industry’s interests, focusing on attempts to prevent quarantine restrictions, specifically problems at ports of entry, international trade restrictions and the steadily increasing call for nursery certification. 

Drew Gruenburg is chief operating officer, Lin Schmale is senior director of government relations, Jeanne Ramsay is senior director of government relations, Society of American Florists, (800) 336-4743; www.safnow.org.

For more:  about these issues and others that will impact the floriculture industry, plan to attend the 31st Annual SAF Congressional Action Days, March 14-15, in Washington, D.C.; www.safnow.org/content/category/10/48/99.

By Drew Gruenburg, Lin Schmale and Jeanne Ramsay