Proposed Policy

Local Resolutions

#1 MSU-E Reorganization:

MSU-E is reorganizing the administrative structure to adapt to the challenging conditions on the local and state level.  The agents are focusing on their specific core areas while serving a larger geographic area.  The funding of the administration is important to serve the 4-H members and rural communities.  They also serve as a conduit to many county and state programs used by the general public. Cost reductions to the administrative assistants will reduce the effectiveness and service to the public.  Therefore, we strongly support the necessary funding to properly staff our county office.  ADOPTED

#2 Road Funding:

Our county and local roads are continuing to deteriorate as funding sources fail to cover the cost to maintain them. The current gas tax is inadequate and often tied to cost sharing programs that make them difficult to qualify for.  Road mileages are unpopular because of the unfair burden placed upon people who own large tracks of land while the people who own little or no land receive the majority of the benefits. 

We support the concept of an increase in the gas tax so long as the increase is for funding to the County Road Commissions and local units of government to improve the conditions of the roads and bridges while making sure the bridges are built to the standards that meet the current and reasonable future needs of that area.  We prefer the gas tax as it is a user-based tax, paid by all users, rather than a property tax, paid primarily by land owners.  ADOPTED

State Resolutions

#3 Taxation Policy:

The cost for many mileages that are for public use projects are funded primarily by property tax dollars from land owners. Agriculture carries an unfair and disproportionate portion of the property tax.  The current tax system is costing the farmer up to 7 times more than the average residential property owner.  There should be a residential property tax for the public use projects and not assessed to the agricultural land use. 

We support current Farm Bureau policy that property tax of Michigan be adjusted to a special use tax that only applies to the residential portion of the property instead of the entire property.  ADOPTED

#4 Part-time Legislature:

The cost savings of a part-time legislature would not be enough to justify the difference of having the state employees controlling the government when the legislature is not in session.  There is less voice for the public with less representation with a part-time legislature.  Term limits are already restrictive and not effective. 

We strongly support reviewing and extending the term limits of the legislature before a part-time legislature is considered.  ADOPTED

National Resolutions

#5 EPA Pesticide Containment and Transfer system policy:

The EPA is currently reviewing and updating its containment and transfer system regulations. Changes in the pesticide containment requirements will raise the cost of the chemicals to the farmers. There would also be the cost of upgrading equipment to meet the new requirements.

We recommend that no changes are implemented by the EPA until complete research is done on the pesticide container design and the transfer system and what will be the cost the customer.  ADOPTED