Putnam Co. Farm Bureau Legislative Update session

Business tax issue dominates Legislative Update discussion

Monday, January 20, 2014

By ERIC BERNSEE Editor

Eliminate or reduce Indiana's business personal property tax? That has been the bold suggestion of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.
But judging by local reaction to the idea at Saturday's Legislative Update session at the Farm Bureau board room in Greencastle, the governor won't be getting much support locally.
Mayor Sue Murray offered up a Greencastle City Council resolution unanimously opposed to the plan.
Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center Director Bill Dory produced some scary statistics on its potential effect locally.
And County Council President Darrel Thomas not so adoringly referred to the Pence proposal as "the elephant in the room."

District 44 State Rep. Jim Baird (left) compares notes with Bill Dory, executive director of the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center, Saturday morning prior to a discussion of the governor's proposed elimination or reduction of the state's business personal property tax. Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE [Order this photo]

Gov. Pence, however, sees the legislation as a step toward making Indiana an even more attractive place for businesses to relocate and/or expand.
Currently, the tax generates an estimated $1.1 billion for cities, counties, schools, libraries and other units of local government, according to a Legislative Services Agency report.
The tax is imposed on equipment used by businesses. Such personal property can be a newspaper's printing press, a factory's metal-stamping machinery or auto parts maker's injection-molding press. The report notes that it amounts to about 14.5 percent of Indiana's taxable property value.
In a speech earlier this month, the governor said the business tax "discourages companies from investing in new technology and expansion."
Calling Indiana the "most manufacturing-intensive state in the nation," Pence said the state is "holding back new capital investment" because of its business personal property tax.
While calling for the elimination or reduction in the tax, the governor has said he would let the Indiana General Assembly determine how or if the revenue would be replaced for local governments.
"That may be great for business," County Councilman Thomas told Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) and State Sens. Pete Miller (R-Avon) and Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) at Saturday's first Legislative Update of the 2014 session. "But don't put it on the shoulders of the taxpayer, which is where this seems to be heading.
"The governor wants to take the bull's-eye off his back," Thomas continued, "and put it on mine. From my point of view (as a county councilman), that's not fair."
Without other changes or replacement revenue, cities and towns would be hit hardest by the tax elimination with some $175 million in total losses, according to the report. Hoosier schools would also be big losers at about $151 million.
Thomas said he couldn't imagine how he could explain the lost revenue and any replacement of it to the four local school corporations, taxpayers, Chamber of Commerce and the economic development office.
Dory's statistics, using 2013 payable tax 2014 estimates, predict the community would see estimated losses as follows:
-- Greencastle Schools, $1,463,696.
-- Putnam County, $737,955.
-- City of Greencastle, $574,512.
-- Putnam County Public Library, $87,492.
Business personal property tax would make up more than 23 percent of the city's assessed valuation for that period, the report noted.
"There's so much intertwined in this," Mayor Murray said, pointing to how the lost revenues would impact how schools are run, streets are paved or plowed and city departments operated, as well as how setbacks in all that would impact the decisions of business people thinking about relocating or expanding here.
"If I can't keep the streets up," she stressed, "they're not going to want to come here."
Mayor Murray presented each of the local legislators with a copy of City Council Resolution 2014-1, which opposes legislative to reduce or eliminate the business personal property tax.
The resolution points out "the proposed plan to reduce the business personal property tax would inevitably result in an across-the-board hike in real property tax rates, representing yet another transfer for the tax burden from businesses to individuals and disproportionately affecting homeowners in communities like Greencastle."
The measure concludes by noting that "a policy position is clearly stated by the Common Council of the City of Greencastle that the Indiana Legislature should not pass any legislation that could reduce or eliminate the business personal property tax."
Legislators present Saturday seemed to side with local representatives but indicated it is probably too early to pass judgment on the proposal.
"We have to decide if this step is necessary," Sen. Bray said, reminding the group that during opening remarks for the program, Rep. Baird indicated the business tax proposal was "going to be a long process."
"The whole General Assembly is aware (of how the measure might impact local government)," Baird assured, assuming the conversation. "There is a lot of discussion yet to happen. We're in the very early stages of this."
Nonetheless, being a one-time county commissioner, Baird said he is "very concerned about the impact it's going to have on units of local government."
A second 2014 Legislative Update session, sponsored by the Putnam County Farm Bureau, is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Farm Bureau office at 1001 N. Jackson St., Greencastle.

© Copyright 2014 Greencastle Banner-Graphic. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Silliness by Activists

Desperation Breeds Silliness by Activists

January 12, 2014
Gary Truitt

Sometimes when people are so committed to their cause and so myopic in their perspective, they do and say things that defy rational thought and just look silly to the rest of the world. This has happened to groups opposed to biotechnology and animal agriculture in the opening days of 2014.  They were so desperate to gain attention that they just made fools of themselves and, in the long run, hurt the credibility of their cause.

A coalition of groups opposed to biotechnology called GMO Inside produced a series of blistering and one-sided press releases slamming General Mills for not offering GMO free Cheerios to US consumers.  The company does offer a GMO cereal in the EU but, in the US, labels the popular breakfast cereal as “natural”.  Absent from the release was the fact that there are no GMO oats produced in the US and that the only ingredient in the product that might have any biotech elements in it is the small amount of corn starch used.  The fact that almost all the corn produced in the US uses biotechnology and that a source of GMO free corn starch would be impossible to find in the US, even if General Mills wanted to use it, was also never considered in the attack.  What was mentioned in the release is that General Mills is a major contributor to a campaign designed to inform consumers about the truth of biotechnology. It seems to me that could be the real reasonGMO Insider went on the offensive against Cheerios.

But the silliness did not stop there. Last week General Mills announced they would change their source of corn starch and only use a biotech-free source. The company stopped short of saying they would label Cheerios as GMO free.  GMO Inside is claiming victory and says because they collected 40,000 likes on a facebook petition, they were able to change corporate policy. Groups are now targeting Kellogg’s demanding they also remove biotech ingredients from their cereals.  The group GMO Free now claims over 20,000 signatures on a facebook petition. Considering the number of people who buy and consumer breakfast cereal, a few thousand names on a social media site is laughable and does not indicate a groundswell of public support.

GMO Free claims in their release that, “The FDA currently does not oversee the nature or extent of testing of these GMOs, nor does it require ingredient labels for foods containing GMOs.” This is true, the fact not mentioned is that oversight and regulation of biotechnology is done by the EPA and USDA, not the FDA. Also not mentioned is that years of testing and continuous oversight is required before a biotech crop or crop protection product can be brought to market. Again, Kellogg’s is also a major financial contributor to efforts to educate consumers about the truth of biotechnology, most likely the reason they are being singled out for criticism.

Not all the action by these activist groups and their supporters is silly, some are just plain disgusting. Protect the Harvest reports that a 25-year-old, Italian woman, Caterina Simonsen, recently came under attack from animal rights extremists for a facebook picture she posted giving thanks to the advancements made in the pharmaceutical research industry that have allowed her to stay alive. She wrote, “I am 25 thanks to genuine research that includes experiments on animals. Without research, I would have been dead at nine. You have gifted me future.” According to PTH, “She received over 30 death threats and 500 insults from animal rights activists – That’s Insane!”  PTH went on to say “Protecting animals is one thing, saving a human life is another.” This demonstrates that there is a darker side to the silliness of these organizations. While many actions of animal activists seem silly, like the mayor of New York trying to ban horse drawn carriages from the city; the silly can turn seriously dangerous in a hurry.

By Gary Truitt

Legislative Update Sessions

The Putnam County Farm Bureau Legislative Update sessions will once again be held on the 3 rd Saturday in January and February at 8 a.m. in the FB Boardroom.  Legislators should be on hand to discuss current legislation of interest to Putnam County.  The Public is invited to attend.

Lack of Posts due to

After changing computers getting everything to work right has been a major task.  I have managed to get back to the post area but not sure I can manage to get back but will continue to try.

News from the Farm Bureau Convention

Farm Bureau Convention Points to Future of Agriculture

Andy Eubank
December 14, 2013
Andy Eubank



Ted McKinney at IFBThe 95th Indiana Farm Bureau Convention moved to Ft. Wayne this year and highlights during the Friday general session included a brief address from Ted McKinney who takes the reins at the state department of ag next year. With the everyday explosion of the world’s population, he is bullish on agriculture.

“I know where prices are. I do watch the markets,” he said, “but I’m still bullish for the long term and I think this is the time we’ve got to all come together, get our story, and get our work stitched together so that we can go forward as a state. I for one am going to give it my best shot and I know I will not be able to do it without the strength and the talent of the Farm Bureau.”Don Villwock 13 address

Members heard from Purdue’s Maury Williamson who received one of Don Villwock’s president awards.

“I can thank so many people out there. Earl Butz and I figured up over 40 years I’ve given about 1,000 speeches. Now Earl said I gave 1 speech one thousand times.”

Retiring CEO of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Jerry Canada was honored with the other president award.

And IFB President Villwock outlined concerns about EPA’s RFS proposal and priorities for the upcoming Indiana legislative short session. One priority is to improve Indiana trespass laws.

“You know it doesn’t matter if you’re a grain farmer, a livestock producer or a specialty crop grower, we have all known and have witnessed an increase in trespassers on our properties in recent years. I imagine very few of you have had a grain field that doesn’t have 4-wheel drive pickup tracks going across part of them or along the side of the road as someone ventures Villwocks and Oscarout in our fields and cuts ruts across our farms. We all spend extra time at night hiding machinery so that vandals or thieves can’t have access to this machinery.”

Farm Bureau wants the same trespass protection homeowners receive. That means they will work toward elimination of the obligation to post trespass signage.

Villwock’s message about securing the future of agriculture was themed around his brand new grandson Oscar.

“In case you choose agriculture, I’m buying your first membership in Indiana Farm Bureau.”

Listen to the complete Villwock address:
Vm
Don Villwock IFB 2013 address
00:00 R P
d

Ted McKinney's vision for the ISDA

A Different Vision of Agriculture

December 8, 2013
Gary Truitt

It is common for people to talk about their vision of agriculture. But usually those visions are limited.  They are limited by the individuals’ pre-conceived idea of what they want agriculture to be.  For example, HSUS would have a vision of agriculture where all the animals ran free and were not consumed for food.  Organic groups would have a vision of agriculture where farmers did not use any chemical products or biotechnology. Some environmental groups would have a vision of farmers working the land with hand tools.  Such visions fit into these artificially-constructed worldviews of food production but do not fit into the real world of a global population who wants safe, affordable, and plentiful food supply. A more accurate vision of agriculture is one that is much bigger and far more diverse. Such a vision was recently articulated by the new director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

Ted McKinney was appointed last week to take over the ISDA. This was the second time he had been offered this position, and what made him say yes this time is known only to him and the Pence administration. But his willingness to serve may finally provide the young agency with a vision and a purpose it has not had before.   Created to fulfill a campaign promise made during the first Daniels administration, Indiana’s Department of Agriculture is unlike most of the state ag departments in the nation.  ISDA has only two regulatory functions, those involving soil conservation and grain warehouse licensing.  All the other regulatory functions are divided among a handful of other state agencies. So what is the vision and purpose of ISDA? Past directors have struggled with this concept. Some have sees the department as a government-supported advocate for agriculture, while other have seen it as an economic catalyst designed to drive economic development at home as well as on the foreign market.  McKinney, in his first public appearance as Director, articulated a vision that was bigger and more cohesive than any of these.

McKinney used the analogy of a puzzle.  Agriculture has many different pieces; but, when all brought together, they make a very powerful force. He sees the role of ISDA as the agent that connects and brings together these pieces.  Indiana, as well as Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and other states, all have the resources of a powerful agriculture puzzle which involves commodity products as well as specialty crops, food processing, exports, local food brands, farmers markets, biotech, and organic. All of us, when connected together, can be a major factor in our state, our nation, and our world.

McKinney, who views agriculture as a global industry, sees how states can come together and play a significant role in the local and world marketplace.  Too often we in agriculture are so focused on our puzzle piece, we don’t see how we fit into the larger picture. “We in agriculture are all friends, but perhaps we need to become better friends,” McKinney told me. He believes the many and diverse sectors of agriculture can learn a lot from each other, if we only do a better job of communicating.

McKinney also believes in being an advocate for agriculture; but, here to, his vision may differ from the norm. He sees being an advocate as presenting the facts about agriculture — not only to consumers, but to law makers, lobbyists, and other state agencies. This fact-based approach allows him to present the truth about biotechnology, organic agriculture, exports, and local food sources, all with equal passion. While some has already criticized his big business connection, having come from Elanco where he was Director of Global Corporate Affairs, this background and international perspective has given McKinney a vision that is larger than many of his predecessors. 

McKinney also brings to the position a passion for agriculture that is infectious and a passion that is focused by his vision of what agriculture can be.  Whether a small specialty crop producer or a large commodity farmer, we should all latch on to the big vision of what agriculture is and can be.

By Gary Truitt

Remembering Christmas on the Dairy Farm

Christmas on our family Dairy starts out like any other day with the alarm ringing at 5 am telling me its time to head to the barn.  Santa’s helpers were busy late that night making sure all the gifts were wrapped and stockings were stuffed so I tiptoed out of the house to the barn as quiet as a mouse.  I reached the barn to begin the daily ritual of starting the pipeline rinse, turning on the heater in the parlor and preparing the feed troughs for the cows.  Next, I remind the cows what time it is as many have already made their way to the barn for the morning milking.  Some of them usually decide to sleep in so it’s off to the pasture to round everybody up.  It’s a good chilly walk as far as ½ mile to the back of the pasture in the cold morning air.  Counting as I go so I know when I’ve got all the cows heading to the barn I head back to the barn singing Christmas carols on the way with the occasional moo approval of the cows.  After the cows are locked in the holding pen its back to the milk house to finish getting ready to milk.  Carrying the milkers into the parlor and connecting the pipeline to the bulk tank would complete the preparation along with getting all the teat dips and frost guard to protect the teats after each cow is milked.  At 6 a.m. cows enter the parlor 4 on a side and I begin prepping and milking them 4 at a time.  Milking all the cows normally take about an hour.  Back in the house the kids begin to stir in anticipation of seeing what Santa left.  They also begin to shout to their mom asking how long they would have to wait.  Back at the barn around 7 a.m. the cows have been all milked and cleaning begins.  The barn is washed out, the milkers are cleaned and the pipeline begins its wash cycle.  The kids get excited when they hear the silo begin pouring out silage and the conveyer and bunk feeder motors are fired up to distribute the cows forage for the morning.  While the cows are being fed I continue to feed the calves and heifers their morning diet.  Milk for some, feed for others and water for all of them.  Real cold mornings mean taking time to bust some ice.  With the silage feeding complete I make one final walk through the milk house and parlor to make sure all the work is done.  Usually about 8 a.m. or so I make it back to the house and find a good seat to watch the kids run to the tree and find the one present Santa had left them unwrapped along with a well filled stocking full of goodies.  Can we open more shouts the kids but mom says not till we’ve had some cinnamon rolls and milk.  After the quick breakfast everyone begins opening the packages under the tree.  Play time is short as there are grandparents to visit.  By late morning everyone enjoys the company of all the family at grandpa’s house to open more presents and enjoy a great Christmas lunch.  About 4 p.m. I head to the barn for another 2-3 hours work in milking and feeding the cows and heifers.  This time some of the other family members offer some help and things go a little faster.  A nice dinner of leftovers is enjoyed by all and then it’s off to bed as 5 a.m. will come again tomorrow to start another day on the Dairy.