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| Norton |
“Governor
Andrew Cuomo is moving forward with some major budget proposals that
will impact agriculture across the state in positive and negative ways.
New York Farm Bureau has advocated on a host of issues mentioned in the
State of the State, and many of the Governor’s requests reflect his
interest to improving conditions for family farms across the state.
"New
York Farm Bureau is hopeful his efforts to substantially increase the
Environmental Protection Fund will assist farmers with expanded water
quality, conservation and farmland preservation programs that are widely
used. In addition, his request to offer a 100 percent tax credit on Thruway
tolls for farm vehicles that use EZ Pass is a sensible approach to
helping farms save money while at the same time making it easier to move
their products around New York.
"Improving rural infrastructure also
remains a priority for New York Farm Bureau, and we are pleased to see
additional funding as well to improve roads and bridges in the upstate
and Long Island regions.
"There
is also support for agriculture reflected in funding for critical
research. Plus, the Governor has maintained his commitment to marketing
initiatives, like Taste NY, that let our neighbors and the world know
about the healthy food and products that come from our farms.
"Despite
these positive endeavors, New York Farm Bureau remains deeply concerned
about the impact of a $15 minimum wage on our farms’ bottom lines. Many
of our members tell us they will be forced to make tough choices should
it pass, choices like reducing staff, changing what they grow and how
they grow it, or just leaving farming altogether.
"We encourage Governor
Cuomo to continue working with Farm Bureau to find better ways to
promote job growth, better wages, and new opportunities for our family
farms and their employees,” said New York Farm Bureau President Dean
Norton.
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