Idaho delegation fights forest fee hike for seniors, disabled

Washington, D.C. - Idaho’s Congressional Delegation is asking the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service not to cut discounts for senior citizens and disabled Americans under the Interagency Pass Program. The program provides discounted use rates for activities on Forest Service lands, but a plan is under discussion to reduce the discounts from 50% down to about 10% for programs and services operated by Forest Service concessionaires.

Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick sent the following letter today to Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell:

The Honorable Tom Tidwell
Chief
U.S. Forest Service
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Chief Tidwell:

We are writing to express concern with a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proposal to allow a decrease in discounts for senior citizens and the physically disabled on USFS lands, as proposed in the Federal Register on December 1, 2009.

As you know, the USFS is a participant in the Interagency Pass Program, authorized by Congress in December 2004.  Congressional intent in establishing this pass program was to continue the multiple benefits of an earlier fee program (Fee Demo Program) by simplifying and standardizing the fee types and providing for public input in establishing fee locations and amounts, among other things.  However, that authorization also provided the Forest Service with authorities – unused up to this point – to reduce discounts for senior citizens and the disabled in some circumstances.

Under the aforementioned proposed regulations, some pass holders will find the cost of recreation on their public lands prohibitive. Of equal concern to the actual economic impact is the demographic groups that it will effect; the recession has been especially hard on senior citizens and the disabled, who already must shoulder the burden of high healthcare costs and depleted retirement savings.

As the recession has gone on, more American families have turned to our public lands for vacationing and recreation purposes than they had in the past.  In part to address this rising demand, Congress has provided funding increases for the National Forest System activity in recent appropriations bills.  Furthermore, the Forest Service received $650 million for capital improvement and maintenance in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  As such, we are confused as to why the Forest Service would find it necessary or appropriate to levy increased fees on seniors and the disabled.

We urge you to maintain these discounts at their current levels.  In this economic climate, we cannot eliminate the opportunity for our senior and permanently disabled citizens to enjoy our public lands.

Nation’s Wheat Farmers Honor Walt

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick is fighting for Idaho agriculture in Congress, and farmers have taken notice.

The National Association of Wheat Growers awarded the 2009 Wheat Advocate Award to U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick. The award is given to “Members of Congress who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm,” according to a NAWG press release.

“As someone who grew up on a family wheat farm, I know firsthand that farmers and ranchers form the backbone of America so I am honored to accept this award,” Minnick said. “Wheat farmers are not only a key component of Idaho’s economy, but family farms are the foundations of Idaho’s rural communities. I take my job on the House Agriculture Committee very seriously and use my position to strengthen family farms, fight for healthy markets, stave off unfair or unbalanced regulation, keep farmers working the land, and make sure Idaho’s agricultural industry is competitive on a global scale. If we work just half as hard in Washington, D.C., as farmers work in Idaho, we can solve many of the problems plaguing our country.”

Travis Jones, Executive Director of the Idaho Grain Producers Association, said Idaho farmers are grateful for Minnick’s support in Washington, D.C.

“He has taken some big votes, tough votes, for us on our behalf in the first session of the 111th Congress,” Jones said. “IGPA is very fortunate to have Congressman Minnick working on our behalf and that of Idaho grain producers. We look forward to his help in the upcoming year.”

In 2009, Idaho farmers produced 99.1 million bushels, up 1 percent from 2008. But these are difficult times for Idaho’s farmers and ranchers. Declines in the dairy and beef industries, drove net farm income down by 47 percent, from $1.904 billion in 2008 to $1.018 billion last year. Despite the decline, Idaho agriculture earned an estimated $5.4 billion in 2009 cash receipts and employed 17 percent of Idaho’s work force.

Walt on the president’s budget

Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick said the nation must tackle budget deficits more aggressively than was proposed in the President’s $3.8 trillion budget Monday.
“The size of the deficits, this year and in future years, is truly disturbing,” Minnick said. “We need to get spending under control and we need to do it in a bi-partisan way.”

Minnick lauded the president’s call for a bi-partisan, fiscal commission to make tough budget recommendations. But the commission must have power to do more than just advise, and Congress should be forced to accept or reject the recommendations with an up or down vote.

Minnick has been a vocal proponent of PAYGO rules that helped create America’s budget surplus in the late 1990s. But leaders must move more decisively by adopting other budget control such as passing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and by giving up earmarks.

Minnick praised proposals to boost investment in education and energy. Renewable energy investment would get $4.7 billion. Loan guarantees to build new nuclear power plants would jump by $36 billion. The president also proposed more robust spending on Pell Grants and other education programs.

“If our nation is to remain strong and competitive, we must have a well-educated work force. Every Idahoan should have access to a college education, or other post-high school training, which leads to higher earning power and better opportunities,” Minnick said.

$9 million USDA Potato Purchase

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Walt Minnick and Mike Simpson praised news Friday that the USDA will help Idaho potato farmers weather a year of good crops and bad prices, while feeding children at the same time.

After hearing from Idaho’s Congressmen, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak directed the USDA to purchase $29.1 million worth of blueberry, pear, potato, peach and mixed fruit products through the Section 32 program. As well as helping farmers, the program offers healthy foods to nutrition programs: the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program, programs that provide food to children in need.

Part of the purchase, announced Friday by Vilsak, includes $9 million worth of potatoes. Minnick and Simpson helped Idaho’s potato farmers make their case for the purchase.

“I am always pleased to see a federal program working the way it was intended,” Minnick said. “This purchase helps Idaho by giving rural economies a boost in during tough economic times, while helping to feed the nation’s poor. I want to thank Secretary Vilsak for his sensible decision to put federal dollars to use in an effective manner.”

“I am pleased the USDA is stepping forward to assist Idaho’s potato growers and thank Secretary Vilsak for responding to our request,” Simpson said. “The Section 32 program is intended to assist producers in situations exactly like this by utilizing funds set aside from customs receipts. The program not only assists producers, it provides nutritious foods to those in need and helps ensure we never become as reliant on foreign countries for our food as we have for our energy.”

Minnick and Simpson spearheaded a letter from the Idaho Delegation seeking the purchase. Minnick’s office also met with Agriculture officials in Washington, D.C., to press the issue.

Idaho potato farmers needed the help. With last year’s near-perfect growing conditions, potato farmers enjoyed excellent yields. The stocks of saleable potatoes rose by 13.5 percent, even as exports rose by 4.5 percent. As a result, prices dropped and have stayed low.

Statement on State of the Union speech

Minnick statement on State of the Union speech

“It was good to hear the president make clear that he hears the anger and frustration of so many Idahoans about the state of our country and our economy. Like the president and most Americans, I believe that it’s time to end a culture where every day is Election Day, and instead begin working together in a bipartisan fashion to address the grave challenges facing our nation.

“I applaud his order to implement a commission on entitlement reform. I agree that earmark reform is a critical step to show we are serious about fiscal responsibility. And I strongly support implementation of “pay as you go” rules to make sure we stop spending money we do not have. I also believe that our nation’s security will continue to be jeopardized if we do not address the shocking federal debt. The spending freeze is a proposal worth considering, but we must be prepared to be bold and do more to address the poor health of our nation’s finances.

“I was pleased to hear suggestions for things very important to me and to Idaho: increased agricultural exports, tax credits for small business, support for community banks and measures to help people attend college. I agree with the president – no one should go broke because they choose to go to college.

“I look forward to working with the president and with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address these issues, and to continue the process of restoring and renewing America.”