Bill To Ensure Farm Property Tax Relief Eligibility Passes State Legislature

From Assemblyman Bill Magee's office:

Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, announced that legislation he sponsored to ensure more farms are eligible for critical property tax relief has passed both the Assembly and the Senate. 

The legislation allows family members who operate farms held in trust to qualify for the Farmers’ School Tax Credit – a refundable credit for farming businesses that have paid school district property taxes (A.4650).
 
“It’s important that we help farms transition from one generation to the next,” Magee said. “Those who have been farming for decades have knowledge that has been handed down and is almost impossible to replace. We can help new farmers take the helm and continue their family’s legacy by cutting red tape to ensure they get the tax relief they need and deserve.”
 
As chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Magee is a strong advocate for farmers, and fights to ensure that family farms can continue to thrive. He recognizes that trusts have become more common over the past several years as more families use them to transfer their farms to the next generation. 

Currently, there are more than 400 farms in New York State classified as “cooperative, estate or trust, institutional” and a significant number of those are trusts.

However, a technicality in current law allows family members who intend to purchase the land to be eligible for the Farmers’ School Tax Credit, while those who will inherit through a trust are not. Magee’s legislation corrects that oversight and allows new farmers to claim the credit. 

The legislation has passed both houses and awaits the governor’s signature to become law.

Dairy Day Celebrated at the State Capitol

Dairy Day at the State Capitol. From left, Chip Pratt, Aileen Randolph of the New York Farm Viability Institute, Sen. Patty Ritchie, and David Grusenmeyer of the New York Farm Viability Institute

State Sen. Patty Ritchie, chair of the state Senate Agriculture Committee, welcomed dairy industry leaders to the State Capitol Wednesday for “Dairy Day,” a celebration of one of New York’s leading industries. 

The event, which is taking place during National Dairy Month, was once a tradition in Albany, and this year, Senator Ritchie, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined with Assemblyman Bill Magee, who chairs the Assembly Agriculture Committee, to sponsor its return.

“As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and someone who grew up on a dairy farm, I’m proud to sponsor the return of Dairy Day at the State Capitol,” said Ritchie. “This is a great chance to spread the word to my colleagues, as well as visitors about how important dairy is to our agriculture and rural economies—especially in the rural regions I represent.”

On hand for Wednesday’s celebration were producers of dairy products — including milk, yogurt, cheese and others — from across the state, as well as representatives of various agriculture groups that help support the industry.

Established in 1937, National Dairy Month started out as “National Milk Month,” an event held to promote drinking milk.  Since that time, the observance has grown into an annual tradition that helps to celebrate our state’s 5,000 dairy farms and all the fresh, nutritious foods and drink they produce. 

Farm Bureau Weighs in on Legislative Session

Statement from NY Farm Bureau President Dean Norton on the end of the state legislative session:

“Agriculture in the state will be in an even stronger position to flourish following the success of the 2014 legislative session. In these final days, lawmakers have supported a number of key bills that will benefit every farmer in the long run.

The highlights include the passage of substantial changes to State Liquor Authority laws that will allow craft beverage makers to take advantage of new opportunities to reach customers. Also, counties will now be able to establish smaller agricultural districts of 250 acres, down from 500 acres. This will especially support new farms in more densely populated and suburban areas. Protections from things like eminent domain and nuisance lawsuits are important in communities that are seeing a growing local food network.

New York Farm Bureau is also pleased lawmakers have established a revolving loan program to assist beginning farmers.  Accessing the money needed to start up an operation is one of the greatest challenges facing new farmers. This bill will help them climb over that early hurdle.

These successes and others follow what was an especially productive state budget process for farmers. From an increased threshold in the estate tax to more funding for environmental and worker safety programs and critical commodity research, New York agriculture is primed for more growth.

New York Farm Bureau would like to thank Governor Cuomo, Senate Agriculture Chair, Patty Ritchie, and her counterpart in the Assembly, Bill Magee, and their fellow legislators for their hard work this year. Their support recognizes the value of New York’s farmers and contribution each family makes in providing local food, jobs, and economic support for their rural communities.

Moving forward, New York Farm Bureau will continue to advocate for the nearly 36,000 farms in this state, and make sure lawmakers understand the decisions they make in Albany have far reaching implications for our food system and rural economies upstate and on Long Island,” said Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President.

 

Bill Helps Craft Beverage Industry

A bill has been passed that will continue New York state's support of the growing craft beverage industry by cutting burdensome requirements placed on producers and rolling back restrictions regarding the marketing of craft products.

This bill would provide New York manufacturers with greater opportunities to market their products, including allowing producers to serve “by the bottle” and “by the glass” as well as permitting farm distilleries to increase the retail outlets where they can sell and offer samples of their products. In addition, this bill would reduce costs for small manufacturers by permitting them to produce more of their product at lower fees.

The legislation is a result of the state’s second Wine, Beer, Spirits, and Cider Summit, held this past April. The Summit brought the farm-based beverage sector together with agricultural producers and government officials in an effort to find ways to support the rapid growth of New York’s beverage industry.

Report: New York Is Not Ag Friendly

This is interesting.

How 'bout it, state legislators? Senate Ag Committee Chair Patty Ritchie and Assembly Ag Committee Chair Bill Magee -- what is to be made of this?

Check out http://www.hoards.com/intel/140527_art1?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=140527-39&utm_content=140527-39+CID_57b12543e818568b228927c814788d64&utm_source=Intel&utm_term=Read+More this story from Hoard's Dairyman.

Farm Tax Credit Bill Passes Assembly

The Farm Tax Credit bill, which provides a tax credit for farmers who use the Thruway to transport produce, passed the Assembly today.

Here is one statement:

"I was pleased to vote in favor of the farm tax credit in the Assembly," said Assemblyman Will Barclay, R-Pulaski.

"This bill establishes a much-needed tax credit for Thruway tolls for farmers. Passing this type of legislation is a good example of how our state can be friendlier to businesses, especially farmers who work so hard to provide local produce and need to travel to reach the fresh-food markets. 

"We should be helping them get from place to place, not discouraging travel with Thruway fees. I was pleased to co-sponsor this measure and vote in favor. I am urging the Senate to take this measure up next. I hope to see similar bills friendly to small business and agriculture come to the Assembly floor for a vote in the upcoming weeks."

State Assembly Looks at Equine Impact

The New York State Assembly will hold a public hearing at noon today (Dec. 3) to examine the equine industry and discuss the economic benefits and numerous job opportunities that are related to the industry’s presence in our state.

Racing and Waging Committee Chair J. Gary Pretlow will take testimony on the equine industry’s current role in the state's economy and what could be done to enhance the industry’s growth.

According to the 2012 New York State Equine Industry Economic Impact Study, the industry generated $4.2 billion statewide in 2011, which was about $92,100 per horse in both direct and indirect impacts. The study also noted that the equine industry provides roughly 33,000 full-time jobs, which is an estimated 80 jobs per 100 horses.

The horse industry is a critically important sector of New York’s economy, providing many employment opportunities throughout the state, including such jobs as breeders, trainers, backstretch workers, hay farmers and veterinarians.

Among those scheduled to testify are Jeffrey A. Cannizzo, executive director, NYS Thoroughbred Breeders; Rick Violette, president, NY Thoroughbred Horsemen Association; Joseph Faraldo, president, Standardbred Owners of New York; and Susan McDonough, board member, NYS Humane Association.

Also expected to testify are Marsha Himler, president, NYS Horse Park; Colleen Segarra, Mid-Hudson Regional Director, New York State Horse Council; and Alice Allen, Redemption Acres.

NYS Assembly Passes Agricultural Land Assessment Cap Bill

Dean Norton

News from New York Farm Bureau:

Farmers in this state just received a big boost to help contain rising property taxes, with the state Assembly's unanimous passage of a bill that will cap agricultural land assessment increases at 2 percent a year.

The state Senate already has passed the legislation. The bill now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his signature.

This bill has been a top priority for New York Farm Bureau this legislative session.There has been great concern among our farmer members who have seen rising land values push up property tax bills for farmland in recent years, essentially doubling since 2006.

Agricultural land assessments are dictated by a complicated formula that takes into account national production value statistics and soil type.Currently, New York farmers pay $38.41 per acre in property taxes, according to Farm Credit East. That is the second highest rate in the country and eats up 15 percent of a farm’s net income.  This puts farmers in this state at a clear competitive disadvantage.

“The passage of the 2 percent cap on agricultural assessments is welcomed news on farms all across New York," said New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton. "Not one has been immune to the skyrocketing property taxes that make it more difficult to provide local food and products to their communities. ... We are hopeful Governor Cuomo will sign off on the legislation that will go a long way to keep New York families on their farms.”

While the legislation will address the immediate needs of farmers, New York Farm Bureau also is advocating for the establishment of a working group comprised of stakeholders and experts to address the long term problem of agricultural assessment valuation.

 

Opinion Against Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act

The Farm Workers Fair Labor Practices Act passes a couple of weeks ago in the state Assembly. Mostly Downstate and NYC assembly members voted in favor of it.

Assembly members from Central New York -- Bill Magee, William Magnarelli, Al Stirpe, Claudia Tenney, Will Barclay, Bob Oaks, Tony Brindisi, Gary Finch, Brian Kolb and Marc Butler -- voted against the proposal. Assemblyman Sam Roberts of Syracuse and Barbara Lifton of Ithaca voted in favor of it.

The bill grants collective bargaining rights to farm laborers, requires employers of farm laborers to allow at least 24 hours of consecutive rest each week, provide for an eight-hour work day for farm laborers, requires overtime rate of one and a half times the normal rate and makes provisions of unemployment insurance law applicable to farm laborers.

Farmers were against the law and New York Farm Bureau spoke in their defense, stating:
An overwhelming majority of farm employees, who routinely return to the very same farms every year to make a good wage and receive fair treatment, are not the ones demanding changes to the law that will restrict their hours and limit new opportunities. This 25 plus year old bill ignores the fact that numerous state and federal regulations already exist that mandate fair labor, health and safety standards, farm worker agreements and employee protections, all of which New York Farm Bureau supports. Farmers have never asked to be exempted from basic laws which govern all New York employees, such as the payment of minimum wage requirements, whistleblower protections, anti-human trafficking statutes and workplace harassment.

Go to  http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130602/OPINION02/706029975 this link to read an opinion piece about the law.

New York Farm Bureau Calls for Ag Land Assessment Cap

Here is a release from New York Farm Bureau:

Farm Bureau officials Tuesday called on state Assembly members to cap agricultural land assessments at 2 percent.

Rising land assessments dictated by a complicated formula that takes into account national production value statistics and soil type is forcing up the overall tax bill on farmland. Currently, New York farmers pay $38.41 per acre in property taxes, according to Farm Credit East.  That is the second highest rate in the country and eats up 15 percent of a farm’s net income. This puts farmers in this state at a clear competitive disadvantage.

The skyrocketing tax bills show no sign of slowing down, which could ultimately force farmers off their land. In the past 10 years, property taxes have essentially doubled for New York’s farms.

This added expense comes at a time when additional farm costs are also rising including those for fuel, feed, labor and health care. All of these weigh heavily on a farm’s bottom line, and also dissuades new farmers who are unable to afford purchasing land from taking part in the state’s long tradition of providing food, fuel and fiber.

This bill has already passed unanimously in a strong bipartisan show of support in the State Senate, and New York Farm Bureau is hoping lawmakers in the Assembly will support the state’s hard working farmers in these final weeks of the legislative session. 

While this will address the immediate needs of our farmer members, New York Farm Bureau is also advocating for the establishment of a working group comprised of stakeholders and experts to address the long term problem of agricultural assessment valuation.

“If we are going to have a healthy agricultural economy in this state, it is time we take the necessary step to implement a 2 percent cap on agricultural land assessments," said New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton. "New York farmers deserve a fair shot when it comes to selling their quality products in a competitive marketplace."

“From 1990 to 2006, the average ag assessment value was $550 for a particular soil class. For 2013, the ag assessment value for this same soil class is $1,000,” said Barry Flansberg, town assessor for Oakfield, Elba and Byron in Genesee County and Barre in Orleans County.

“From my professional perspective in an area that has a strong agricultural presence, farming has evolved and modernized since the 1970s, but the ag assessment system has not," Flansberg said. "It is not reflective of what’s happening in the fields today and no longer is a reasonable and consistent system.”

Bills to Cap Agricultural Land Assessments Receiving Attention

Go to the http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130528/NEWS03/705289943 link here to read the story.