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 MoreCategory: Legislative Updates
Another 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!
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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.
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The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the award of $15 million in new technical assistance grants as continued funding to nearly 500 conservation districts in 49 states and territories.
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Total construction spending decreased by 0.4 percent in July as spending on new houses and apartments tumbled, overshadowing a pickup in private nonresidential and public construction, according to an analysis the Associated General Contractors of America released today of federal spending data.
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The Agriculture Department is significantly increasing its farm earning forecast for 2022, estimating net cash farm income will reach its highest level in a decade due to the booming prices for crops and animal products.
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The Inflation Reduction Act includes approximately $1 billion for conservation technical assistance, which allows NRCS and conservation districts across the country to get boots on the ground to support producers implement conservation. This legislation also provides $18 billion for voluntary conservation programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) between Fiscal Years 2023 and 2027.
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This story you have probably heard or read about but wanted to share it because it means BIG trouble for so much of the West and for farmers and ranchers.
Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton tasked seven states that use water from the Colorado River with determining how to cut between 2 and 4 million acre-feet of water in June, warning them that the Bureau of Reclamation would step in and “act unilaterally” to protect the system if they didn't.
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The Trump administration’s proposed new definition of “waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act is either a radical policy shift that misinterprets Supreme Court precedent and will leave up to 70 percent of tributaries and half the nation’s wetlands unprotected, or it’s a constitutionally valid approach to regulating the nation’s waters that preserves the states’ lead role over water pollution control and land use planning.
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