To the Editor:
Assemblyman Bill Magee and his colleagues have just put a fourth straight on-time budget to bed, and there are many things in the spending plan that will help farmers sleep better at night.
For starters, there are real tax reforms, including moving the estate tax threshold to match the federal level. This New York Farm Bureau priority will assist thousands of family farms in transition planning to keep vital farmland in production. Assemblyman Magee showed real leadership in ushering this significant bill through his chamber. Additionally, the state is rolling back the 18-a utility surcharge which will reduce everyone’s electric bills and increase the competitiveness of our farms in the global marketplace.
New York State has also made a significant investment into a number of research programs that will improve how we grow all types of food. And there is additional support for the Environmental Protection Fund that works with farmers in becoming even better stewards of our natural resources. Also in the new budget, money to market and promote the quality local products that come from our farms.
This was made possible because of the support of Assemblyman Magee who is the respected Chairman of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. He works hard for farmers and understands their contributions to the rural economy. We thank him for his successful efforts.
Sincerely,
Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President