Category: Legislative Updates

Roadbuilders Optimistic As Massive Infrastructure Bill Debate Begins

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by LICA-National
The American Jobs Plan was released March 31 by the White House and unsurprisingly drew mixed reactions from congressional leaders. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called the plan “a visionary, once-in-a-century investment in the American people” and vowed to get a bill through the House of Representatives by July 4. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) cast doubt on Republican support, stating “my view of infrastructure is we ought to build that which we can afford, and not either whack the economy with major tax increases or run up the national debt even more.” Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who will play a critical role in any infrastructure package discussions, had a different take. “Infrastructure, my God, when you think about it, that pothole doesn’t have an R or D name on it, it’ll blow your tire and ruin your car, it doesn’t care,” Manchin said. “So, don’t you think infrastructure is something that could bring us together?”

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LICA Joins Industry Call for Funding NRCS Technical Assistance

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by LICA-National


LICA has joined dozens of others in asking Congress for robust technical assistance funding at NRCS. Once again, we will be sending an appropriations letter to Congress requesting no cuts to farm bill conservation spending and funding for the Conservation Operations (CO) / Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) accounts at NRCS. Taken together, CO and the farm bill programs comprise nearly all of NRCS’s annual budget. This funding is critical to getting conservation on the ground and meeting many of our conservation goals, including on climate change. When finalized, the letter will be available at www.lica.org. Groups already signed on include:



• American Farmland Trust

• National Association of Conservation Districts

• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

• National Wildlife Federation

• National Young Farmers Coalition

• Natural Resources Defense Council

USDA Seeks Public Comment on Revised Conservation Practice Standards

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by LICA-National
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. The proposed revisions will publish March 9 with comments due April 8.

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Survey Finds Soil Health Management Boosts Income

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by LICA-National
Farmers who used soil health management systems cut their costs and increased their net income, according to a new analysis by the Soil Health Institute.

SHI interviewed 100 farmers in nine states that account for 71% of U.S. corn production and 67% of soybean production. It found 85% of corn growers and 88% of soybean growers increased their net income.

The survey questioned those who actively managed their soil health by using any or a combination of practices, such as no or reduced tillage, cover crops, or grazing.

Bottom line: Corn growers’ costs fell $24 per acre, while soybean growers’ costs decreased by $17 an acre. At the same time, corn growers saw their net income go up by $52 an acre. For soybean farmers, the increase was $45 an acre.

Infrastructure Struggles Call for Parental Attention

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by LICA-National
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure last week, giving our nation a ‘C-’, up from 2017’s cumulative GPA of ‘D+’. This is the first time since ASCE began issuing the report card that the nation’s infrastructure has received a GPA outside of the D range. See each state report card at https://infrastructurereportcard.org/state-by-state-infrastructure.

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Don’t Be Fooled by the Infrastructure Chatter

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by LICA-National
As someone who has been around the federal policy debate on infrastructure for more than 30 years, I have to chuckle at the reemergence of the call for a massive infrastructure bill to bring this country out of our current economic woes.  No question there is bipartisan support for all the roads and bridge needs that exist and the good jobs that would be created.  And no question industry would support legislation that targets federal investment directed by state and local government leaders. However, putting the pieces together for a massive bill is a monumental task. 

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