Standing Up for Agriculture

By Governor Pete Ricketts

June 15, 2021

 

Governor’s official photograph right here. 

 

Since Prefacetnt Joseph R. Biden, Jr. was sworn into office in January, our nation has seen a dramatic shift in nationwide covperiodge And the method the fedperiodl authorities treats states.  From tax hikes to new legal guidelines, the Biden-Harris Administration has charted a extra libperiodl course than the Trump Administration.  Over the previous couple of weeks, I’ve been touring the state highmilding the menace that Prefacetnt Biden’s 30 x 30 plan poses to Nebraska, however that isn’t The one problem of cas quickly asrn On the fedperiodl diploma.  Tright here are a quantity of completely different factors on the horizon That would have an effect on Nebraska’s ag financial system.  I’ll briefly highmild A pair of of them right here.  

 

Meat Processing Investigation: The meat processing enterprise has been consolidating for yrs.  This has left producers with very restricted decisions when advertising their cattle.  In mild of this, tright here have been Questions on pricing Inside the enterprise.  Wright hereas processors are making about $900 a head, I am involved That prime prices paid on the boxed beef facet Have not On A daily basis translated into greater prices paid to producers.  Over the previous a quantity of yrs, the producers’ share of income has declined, while The worth of current beef has jumped.  In Might 2020, Prefacetnt Trump tasked the U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) To evaluation the enterprise practices of our nation’s 4 largest meat processors.  In the meantime, the DOJ’s anti-notion division started wanting into allegations of anti-aggressive practices Inside The meat enterprise.  Final month, I joined 5 completely different Governors in sending a letter to DOJ looking for an replace on its investigation.  It has now been over a yr since DOJ started its probe.  Each livestock producers and consumers Want to know the standing of the investigation.  The DOJ additionally Should prioritize its work To Enconstructive equity for producers and consumers and To revive notion Infacet the cattle enterprise.  You will Have The power to study The complete letter at www.Governor.Nebraska.gov.

 

Renewable Gasoline Regular: Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state Inside the nation.  Recently, the ethanol enterprise has confronted some uncertainty.  The Biden-Harris Administration has put an growing Confacetr electrical automobiles, which menaceens the existence of combustion engines and consequently both the oil and ethanol industries.  In February, we acquired some Good information when the Tenth Circuit Courtroom of Appeals dominated in favor of the ethanol enterprise With regard to mixing requirements for oil refineries.  In The strategying months, We will anticipate the Biden Administration to problem Renewable Quantity Obligations beneath the Renewable Gasoline Regular (RFS).  It is important thOn the Environmental Safety Agency (EPA) implement A strong RFS as promised by Congress.

 

Cease 30 x 30: As I referenced earlier, I even have been internet hosting a collection of metropolis halls throughout the state To assist Nebraskans understand whOn They will do to push again on Prefacetnt Biden’s plan to protect 30% of the nation’s land and water by 2030.   This radical land seize would protect an space The measurement of the State of Nebraska Yearly for The subsequent 9 yrs, or an space twice The measurement of Texas by 2030.  Proper now, 97% of the land in Nebraska is privately owned.  Setting afacet 30% would drive up property taxes, scale again the land out tright here for agricultural enchancment, and Can be devastating for our small cities and rural communities.  Many counties have been talking out by moveing resolutions opposing 30 x 30.  Over The subsequent couple of weeks, I’ll be in Gordon, Pickrell, and York for metropolis halls.  You will Have The power to study extra about these occasions and How one can Get entangled at my internet website or by visiting https://americanstewards.us/.

 

Tax Policy: In A critical reversal from the Trump Administration, the Biden Administration has floated All Sorts of tax hike proposals over the previous a quantity of weeks.  A few Of these have confirmed so unpopular thOn They’ve reversed course on them In a brief time.  In March, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg briefly confacetred taxing automobiles based mostly on miles traveled earlier than ruling out such an strategy.  Ancompletely different troubling proposal in Congress would get rid of the stepped-up basis and tax capital positive elements at demise.  This Is in a place to be particularly damaging to our farm and ranch households that Want to move their household opperiodtion on to The subsequent period.  The Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska State Chamber are working to wrestle as quickly as extrast this dangerous tax covperiodge.  Learn extra about this important problem by visiting https://nebraskansfortaxtruth.org/.

 

Waters of America (WOTUS): Under the Obama Administration, the EPA overstepped its authorized authority by Attempting to increase the definition of “waters of America.”  Beforehand, the EPA unlawfully tried to increase its oversight of every thing from small ponds to puddles shaped from runoff at enchancment web websites.  Final week, the Biden Administration pledged To renew this effort to exert extra fedperiodl administration over the nation’s water assets.  Once they tried this Prior to now, the State of Nebraska effectively sued the Obama Administration After which celebrated when the Trump Administration rolled again the overreaching rule.  The Biden-Harris Administration is renewing efforts to increase fedperiodl administration, and We’ll wrestle again as quickly as extra if needed.  Nebraska Shall be watching the fedperiodl authorities intently, And may do all We will To shield our land and water from Washington, D.C. overreach.

 

Everytime You’ve Questions on steps the State is taking to push again on the Biden-Harris Administration, please contact me at [email protected] or 402-471-2244.  Collectively, We will Make constructive that fedperiodl overreach doesn’t change Our way of life.

 

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