As concerns grow over the future of the drought-plagued Colorado River system, the Biden administration has announced how it intends to pay farmers, cities and Native American tribes in the Southwest for significant, voluntary water cuts.
Top Food and Drug Administration officials pledged this week to work toward reducing diet-related diseases by taking steps that will give consumers more information on what they’re eating and pressure companies to reformulate products, actions that are key elements of the White House’s new national food strategy.
Top Senate negotiators have yet to agree to a deal on a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government open. But both Democratic and GOP leaders believe the issue will be resolved today, just one day before the end of the fiscal year.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has formally filed cloture on the continuing resolution to fund federal agencies through Dec. 16. That normally means a cloture vote – ie can we start debate on the bill or not - on Friday.
But Schumer’s move is really designed to keep up the pressure on Republicans to continue negotiating. Some GOP senators are seeking amendment votes, although this hasn’t been agreed to yet.
Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell are still trying to work to set a time for the CR vote. It’s in both McConnell and Schumer’s interest to schedule a quick vote on the funding bill so lawmakers can get back home to campaign. Schumer has threatened to bring senators back into session in October, although there’s doubt in both parties that he will actually do so.
The farm economy is generally solid despite recent volatility in commodity prices and rising anxiety over input costs.
However, there are still near-term risks, according to farm economists who spoke this week at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, Mo.
View MoreThe Food and Drug Administration is reworking its 28-year-old definition of “healthy” foods to allow fish, nuts and many other items to qualify for the label if they provide meaningful amounts of the products people are supposed to eat under federal dietary guidelines.
About 70 House of Representatives staffers packed a Capitol Hill briefing room Sept. 22 to hear ARTBA Chief Economist Dr. Alison Premo Black deliver an update on the state of funding nationwide for road and bridge projects as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) approaches its first anniversary. Both Republican and Democratic staffers attended the standing room-only event.
Despite hearing COVID popping up here and there it seems like life and business is getting back to pre-COVID levels. One thing I have missed is the industry gatherings that were cancelled or moved on line. I miss the back and forth and hearing about different industry trends – good and bad. Recently I had the chance to visit with an old lobbyist friend, John McClelland, Vice President and Senior Economist with the American Rental Association (ARA). John shared his thoughts below on the current state of the construction rental industry.
View MoreAnother sign that life may be getting back to normal is the DC and the Capitol areas are opening up again to the public. If you have been thinking about heading east and visiting your senators or representative, drop me an email – nyaksich58@gmail.com and let me help arrange your visit on the Hill and around town. More than happy to have you take advantage of being an advocate for LICA!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance innovative projects that address climate change, enhance water quality, and address other critical challenges on agricultural land.
View MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation's water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and conservation in urban agricultural systems.