POLICY WATCH
Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors Votes to Oppose Reconciliation Package
During their meeting this week (Sept. 22-23), the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) Board of Directors voted to send a letter to leaders in Washington, D.C. expressing their opposition to the budget reconciliation package currently working its way through Congress. “Given what our federal government has spent over the past 21 months, combined with the threat of massive tax increases that look to put the future of family farms and ranches at risk, we simply cannot support this legislation. Unfortunately, it is clear to us this package is a work of party politics rather than sound public policy,” NEFB President Mark McHargue said.
Lawmakers Make Progress on Redistricting
The Nebraska Legislature this week made progress on redistricting by advancing five of the six bills from General File. A bipartisan agreement was reached on the maps for the Congressional, Public Service Commission, Judiciary/Supreme Court, Board of Education, and NU Board of Regents. At the time of this writing, senators continue debating amendments to the Legislative map. Lawmakers are expected to continue debate next week with these six bills on Select File and have scheduled Final Reading for Thursday, September 30th. Nebraska Farm Bureau is heavily engaged with this process, making sure senators understand the importance of protecting the voice of rural Nebraska both in the Legislature and Washington, D.C.
Farmers and Ranchers Engage in Global Climate Conversation
The UN Food Systems Summit this week included farmers and ranchers representing U.S. agriculture. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says UN policies haven’t always recognized U.S. agriculture as a leader in this area. For the first time, farmers and ranchers have been asked to be part of this discussion. Duvall says it’s important for farmers and ranchers to be engaged to help influence the UN and their opinion on American agriculture.
The Path to Policy
Farmers and ranchers determine where Farm Bureau stands on issues. As a Farm Bureau member, you have many options to share your voice, which shapes our future. The Issue Surfacing Tool is an online process to assist County Farm Bureau members in the policy development process, in hopes that it strengthens engagement on agricultural issues. Go to the Issue Surfacing Tool to log in and learn more. You can also use and find the 2021 Policy Development Guides, at www.nefb.org, which are researched and written by the NEFB Governmental Relations Department. They are designed to assist Farm Bureau members in state and national policy development and in writing policy resolutions.
