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Proposed Policy
Local Resolutions
No Pension/Retirement Insurance for Elected Officials
In many cases elected officials that are part time (county & township) and those elected at the state level (Reps, Senators, and Governor/Lt. Governor, etc.) who may be in office for only a few years are often drawing lifetime pension and extended health care benefits paid for by the taxpayers. With the limited resources available to local and state government, this cost is an un-sustainable burden upon the taxpayers. Often times with very limited part time service, these people are able to be provided with a pension/ lifetime health insurance.
Therefore be it resolved, that Barry County Farm Bureau supports that no pension or retirement benefit be provided to any local elected official unless said official has completed 25 years of service within the local unit of government required to pay any such pension or retirement benefit. In no case shall any local level elected official be provided with any form of paid continuing health care (insurance plan) unless and until said official shall have reached 25 years of service within the local unit of government required to pay any such insurance premium.
FSA/NRCS
Farmers are required to operate under certain regulations and rules imposed by the Federal Government in relation to land conservation and other farm management issues.
Many times technical and clerical errors can be a nightmare for farmers when they are caught in a situation where FSA/USDA/NRCS and other offices make a mistake, or fail to properly file paperwork that the farmer counts on being completed by employees of such said agencies.
Those errors are often times very difficult to correct to allow the farmer to operate his operation in an efficient and practical manner. Such errors on the part of government employees can often cause the farmer great expense and result in lost income.
Therefore be it resolved that Barry County Farm Bureau supports requiring the local FSA/USDA/NRCS having to resolve the issues in favor of the farmer within 30 days from when the clerical/technical error is documented.
Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) 2007 TOST Regulation
The (TOST) regulation as approved by the Barry County Board of commissioners on June 26, 2007 requires that prior to a sale or transfer of a parcel containing an on-site sewage system and/or on-site water supply system the system(s) must be inspected by private inspectors and approved by the (BEDHD).
Michigan Farm Bureau policy as adopted for 2011 states (We support...the "point of sale inspection" of on-site septic systems.) That policy makes no distinction as to who should perform the inspections nor as to the approval by any health department agency. MFB policy also opposes fees for govt. regulations.
Problems: * The (BEDHD) fees collected from property owners and the questionable expenses owners have been required to spend have sucked $ 1.5 Million from the property owners pocket books and the area's economy . * The (BEDHD) has historically chosen to and currently follows a pattern of using an arbitrary and capricious method of enforcement in regards to various parts of the TOST regulation; (ie: refusing approval of small diameter wells passed by the private inspector(s) in the field, following a policy of not having banks receiving Sheriff's Deeds pay the fees and have the septic and well systems promptly inspected).
Therefore be it resolved Barry County Farm Bureau
1- Supports time of sale inspections by the purchaser or someone of the purchasers choice.
2- Supports purchase offers pending inspection by private inspectors.
3- Supports immediate action by Barry County Board of Commissioners directing the BEDHD to practice "equal enforcement" of the TOST regulation in regards to property acquired by banks under Sheriff's Deeds with monthly reports from BEDHD confirming such "equal enforcement".
4- Supports immediate action by Barry County Board of Commissioners directing the BEDHD to cease and desist the practice of failing to approve small diameter wells that have passed field approval by the private inspector and chemical testing.
5- Supports action by the Barry County Board of Commissioners for repeal of the 2007 TOST regulation if items # 3 and 4 above are not promptly implemented.
Local, State & National Resolution
Fair & Equal Enforcement of all Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations
Recent news reports and experiences of Barry County residents have shown many examples of how government officials at all levels (local to federal) are making decisions to direct selective enforcement of the laws governing residents and business in the United States (President through
the Justice Dept. on deportation policy, Barry Eaton Dist. Health Dept. regarding well size and
enforcement of the TOST regulation, ICE raids on Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, Gibson Guitar Co.
having imported material seized). All this happening while other violators with the same
violations being ignored and let "slip by".
Such enforcement "for the TV news cameras" places an unfair burden upon those targeted while allowing many others to escape uniform enforcement of the law or regulation. In many such cases, lost production and income can total in the millions of dollars, plus negative publicity (which later may prove untrue) impacts the business/person well into the future.
Uniform enforcement for all laws and regulations to provided for equal justice for all.
Therefore be it resolved that Farm Bureau members at all levels, (Local, State & National) Support the equal enforcement of all Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations without selective enforcement (or lack of enforcement) directed towards various groups or individuals based upon any factor chosen by any government official, be they local officials, law enforcement officers or president of the United States.
State Resolutions
Additions to MFB Policy #47: Educational Reforms
(Current MFB Policy)
"The new Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) requires all students to take advanced classes. These required credits are intended to ensure skills and knowledge for 21st century jobs.
A well-rounded education containing basic core curriculum, including college-prep or vocational/technical courses, should be an attainable and achievable goal for all students. The vigorous set of statewide standards makes it more difficult for students to fit career and technical coursework into their schedule. Additionally, we believe more emphasis should be placed on studies in government, economics, and communications skills which are required for survival in today's world.
• We recommend Michigan Farm Bureau work with the Legislature to revise the MMC immediately. This revision will provide more opportunities for students to enroll in vocational training programs."
(Adding the following)
• We recommend that not more than 50% of the credits for graduation from any Michigan school be mandated allowing students, parents and teachers to individualize a student's education.
• We also recommend that vocational added cost funding be reinstated at 1975 levels and adjusted for inflation.
Tax Advantages
Due to the tax advantage for those receiving payments from a public pension or retirement plan over those receiving similar benefits in the private sector, Barry County Farm Bureau opposes special carve outs for government pensions over those allowed in the private sector.
No Pension/Retirement Insurance for Elected Officials
In many cases elected officials that are part time (county & township) and those elected at the state level (Reps, Senators, and Governor/Lt. Governor, etc.) who may be in office for only a few years are often drawing lifetime pension and extended health care benefits paid for by the taxpayers. With the limited resources available to local and state government, this cost is an un-sustainable burden upon the taxpayers. Often times with very limited part time service, these people are able to be provided with a pension/ lifetime health insurance.
Therefore be it resolved, that MFB support that no pension or retirement benefit be provided to any state elected official that has benefits greater than, nor may any such elected official become vested for any retirement payments any sooner than the time for vesting provided in retirement plans covered by state civil service workers. In no case shall any state level elected official be provided with any form of paid continuing health care (insurance plan) unless and until said official shall have reached 30 years of service.
MSU Extension Service Providing Class and Testing for RUP permit
Problem:
Certain pesticides are unavailable for ag. producers unless they have passed a test on safe pesticide use and application and have a Restricted-Use Pesticide (RUP) certificate from the MDA. Often times testing locations, dates and times are inconvenient and remote from various farmer's operation. While it may be possible to keep certified by attending various CEU credit classes during the time before a RUP certificate expires, missing just one such credit may force a person to retest in order to keep certified.
Need: Convenient central location and testing dates coordinated by the MSU extension service to allow area farmers a central prep/review testing location throughout Michigan.
Be it resolved that the Michigan Farm Bureau supports a program by the MSU Extension Service to assign a staff person who on a rotating location basis, administers a half day class and testing program for farmers to secure the RUP certificate they may need.
State & National Resolution
D.O.T. Inspections
Vehicles that are currently D.O.T. certified are required to be inspected annually. Some farm vehicles are used seasonally and do not get very many miles put on them annually, compared to freight company vehicles that put on thousands of miles each year. The inspections are costly and take time to do. The usual inspection cost over $200. Some aircrafts need to be inspected every 100 hours of flight time instead of annually.
Barry County Farm Bureau feels it would be more reasonable for D.O.T. inspections to take place on a mileage basis rather than, an annual basis on vehicles that are not used a lot. Barry County Farm Bureau would also like to see an exemption for vehicles that use the special farm plates for moving crops at harvest to storage and supplies at planting and growing seasons to the fields.
Barry County Farm Bureau recommends that D.O.T. vehicle inspections be changed to a mileage basis time period rather than an annual time period for vehicles that travel more than a few miles from their home base and vehicles that have a special farm plate be exempt from inspections as long as they are used to transport commodities from the field to storage or to aid in planting and getting supplies to the field. If a farm vehicle is going to be used on the highway for other purposes then a farm commercial plate should be used.
National Resolutions
Immigration Reform
Immigration reform is the most important and urgent issue facing the Federal Government today. There are estimates of 12 million illegal immigrates in the United States.
Humanitarian Crisis
Many of these immigrants are families with children, probably numbering in the many millions. Some of the children would be illegal, having been brought here by their parents; others would have been born here and are American citizens. Are we going to split apart families? Are we going to send children who are our citizens back to poverty and illiteracy in another country? Most of theses immigrants have strong family values and only want to provide for and educate their children. It must be terrifying when INS raids their homes at night and takes one or both of their parents.
Economic and Labor Crisis
The estimate is that the US will lose nine billion dollars a year because of the labor shortage. Michigan had less than 75% of the workers needed to harvest asparagus with losses of over $350 per un-harvested acre. Strawberries, oranges, apples and other fruits and vegetables are rotting in the field by the tons. The US is becoming more dependent on other countries, with less consumer safety guidelines, just as we dependent on other for oil. Builders, landscapers, dairies, food processors, and many more industries are dependent on immigrant labor.
Businesses and Regulations
The Federal Government is relying on business to enforce its failed immigration policies. Swift and Co. worked with immigration for two years on a program to insure that their workers were legal. The Immigration and Naturalization Services raided Swifts plants and caused an estimated loss of $30 million. Swift then sold out to a foreign company. Employers are now being told they have to resolve any discrepancies on social security numbers or face stiff fines. Employers should only have to report the numbers and the Federal Government should enforce the laws.
Myths involving Immigrants
Don't pay taxes - legally all employers have to withhold social security and income taxes.
Low wages - most are paid above minimum wage. Many migrant workers are furnished with free housing, including utilities, and $10-$14 per hour
Taking American jobs - if Michigan has such a high unemployment - why can't Michigan employers fill jobs at $10-$14 per hour. Claims are that New York City has thousands of unemployed people. Seems odd that the unemployed can't travel 50-500 miles to get a job when the immigrants travel thousands of miles for a better life.
Homeland Security risk - the immigrants coming to America to work and better their lives are not terrorist threat. None of the 911 terrorists walked across a desert to get into the US - they came through customs.
Therefore be it resolved that the Barry County Farm Bureau recommend:
A. Until Congress fully and adequately resolves the immigration issues.
1. All enforcement proceedings against non-violent immigrants be suspended.
2. All enforcement proceedings against all employers be suspended.
B. Congress should resolve the immigration issue by:
1. Granting modified amnesty to all undocumented immigrants with a reasonable cost of fees and taxes.
2. Develop a worker identification system for employers hiring immigrants.
3. Permanently remove the responsibility of immigration enforcement from employers.
4. Develop a fee for work program, one that may encourage documentation as immigrants enter the county.
Re-instatement of the Farmer Idea Exchange (FIE) Program
During 2011 the American Farm Bureau did some reorganization of the various programs that members would have available to participate in. In the process of that reorganization the decision was made to eliminate the Farmer Idea Exchange (FIE) program in favor of expansion of the County Activities of Excellence (CAE) activity. While the CAE is an excellent program that many counties participate in, such expansion of one good program should not have to cause the elimination of another valuable member program.
Elimination of the FIE by the American Farm Bureau has removed nearly all opportunity for those members over age 35 (cut-off age for FB young farmer programs) to have an avenue to participate in a program & be eligible to win any individual award at the national level within Farm Bureau.
The FIE program (up until its elimination in 2011) was touted, promoted and publicized by the American Farm Bureau as a contest that: "is designed to surface inventions, equipment modifications, marketing techniques… and farming practices" In order to provide this opportunity for FB members to continue to, "share their innovative ideas and help other farmers/ranchers...cut costs, improve efficiency & increase net income", the Farmer Idea Exchange contest needs to be re-instated by AFBF beginning at the 2013 AFBF Annual Meeting.
Therefore be it Resolved:
We respectfully request that the AFBF board of directors reinstates and actively promote the FIE contest beginning with winners to be named and exhibiting in the showcase at the 2013 AFBF annual meeting.
AFBF policy #239: National Farm Policy
Extension of AFBF policy #239 with a provision for specialty crops and encouraging farmers to secure crop insurance.
Requiring documentation of USDA press release Info
Recent USDA press release content regarding cost of food production grossly exaggerated
the returns that could be expected from $1 spent on seed and fertilizer by the home gardener.
Their figure claimed a return of $25 for each $1 spent. That projected return failed to account for any costs other than seed and fertilizer (omitting land rent value, equipment needed, or production problems, or labor). Such misinformation provides the impression to the public that farmers receive $25 for each $1 they spend in input costs.
By providing misinformation to the public the USDA is advancing a misconception of the profitability of production agriculture and the income of American farmers.
Requirements for USDA to properly document with accurate and truthful figures any financial items they include in all future press releases.
We support requiring USDA/all government agencies or bureaus to properly document with cited authorities listed for any reference in press releases that indicate the cost of production or expected return for the procedure or process referenced in the press release.
Farm Equipment DOT Numbers
Proposals have been floated at the National level to require farm equipment (Tractors, Self-propelled choppers, combines, etc.) to be registered, secure a DOT number, and require a CDL for operation upon roadways would require time, expense, and possible inspection (such as trucks) before the equipment could be operated on roadways to travel between fields . Farmers might have to pay fees for the CDL for all employees, family members before machines could be driven on roadways, even by family members.
Be it therefore resolved that AFBF opposes *any effort to have farm implements or any engine driven machine (non motor vehicle and attached tools) classified, so as to require any form of registration or assignment of any identification (DOT) number by the Federal or any State Government.
*any requirement at the State or Federal level that anyone operating farm implements or any engine driven machine (non motor vehicle) and attached tools, be required to have any type of driver's license.
