Legislation Update -- October 2007

Research funding. The appropriations bills for USDA, which include continuing funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative, were moving through Congress. The Initiative likely will be funded at $6.25 million again this year. Industry members lobbied for increased funding; nonetheless, the $6.25 million “level funding” from last fiscal year’s appropriation is a significant victory in this budget year of concern over earmarks and budget expenditures.

USDA secretary steps down. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns resigned from the Bush Cabinet. It is believed that he intends to run for the Senate seat vacated by Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., who is retiring. The White House named Deputy Secretary Chuck Connor as acting secretary.

Farm Bill passes House. The House passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). The $286 billion, five-year Farm Bill authorizes most of the important activities of USDA, including row crop subsidies. The largest portions, however, support other social programs, including food stamps, conservation and social development. About $29 billion will fund programs for agriculture producers. H.R. 2419 would allocate about $1.8 billion over five years to programs benefiting specialty crop producers.

Mismatch rule unease. ANLA vice president for government relations and research Craig Regelbrugge was quoted in a New York Times article about the uncertainty caused by a Homeland Security crackdown on Social Security mismatch letters: “Across the employer community people are scared, confused, holding their breath. Given what we know about the demographics of our labor force, since we are approaching peak season, people are particularly on edge.”

Minimum wage posters. Are your minimum wage posters in compliance? Every employer subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s minimum wage provisions must post, and keep posted, a notice explaining the act in a conspicuous place. An approved copy of the newly revised minimum wage poster can be downloaded at http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm.

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