Former Idaho governor Phil Batt praises Walt

The Idaho Statesman recently printed a letter to the editor from former Idaho governor Phil Batt, also a former chairman of the Idaho Republican Party. The text of the letter, from the February 23, 2009, edition of the Idaho Statesman.

I appreciate Minnick’s stand for responsibility
I didn’t support Walt Minnick during his campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Nevertheless, I did listen to his strong statements concerning fiscal responsibility. I didn’t doubt his sincerity, but I thought he’d have to follow the big spenders, most of the time, once he became a member of the majority party in the House. I’m sure Rep. Minnick knew that most Idahoans opposed the so-called “stimulus package.” Yet, I believe the reason for his “no” vote was a clear conviction that it is shameful to load a crushing debt on future generations of Americans and to totally usurp state rights and responsibilities. I don’t yet know if I’ll back Mr. Minnick for re-election, but I want him to know that I appreciate him standing up for Idaho.
PHIL BATT, Boise

Idaho delegation introduces transportation bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and James E. Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick today introduced the Idaho Efficient Vehicle Demonstration Act of 2009, legislation that calls for portions of Idaho’s interstate roadways to be included in an existing freight transport pilot project in the State.

The State pilot project, created in 2003 by the Idaho State Legislature, allows vehicle combinations weighing up to 129,000 pounds to operate on designated routes within the State highway system, as long as those vehicles meet certain safety and efficiency standards.  The proposed bill would extend the same criteria to trucks traveling on Interstates 15, 84 and 86 – presently limited to 105,500 pounds – bringing them in line with weight restrictions on interstates in Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada.

“With high fuel prices taking a disproportionate hit on rural states like Idaho, we must allow for more cost-efficient transportation of goods to market,” Senator Crapo said.  “Fewer trucks on the road carrying more produce makes sense, and Idaho’s vehicle laws should be able to match those of its neighboring states.”

“With a focus on safety those vehicles should be allowed to operate on these designated routes through Idaho,” Senator Risch said.  “It is important that a compatible system to those of adjacent states be adopted to provide efficiency in the trucking industry and ultimately for the consumers of the goods being transported.”

“Our transportation system is the backbone of our economy, and the ability to transfer goods quickly and efficiently is essential for America,” Congressman Simpson said. “By addressing this highway need, Idaho can play a larger role in transferring goods while still adhering to high safety standards.”

“Pilot projects such as this one provide critical information to policy-makers who set the standards for our highway infrastructure,” said Congressman Minnick. “In these critical times, we need to look at every option for making Idaho an even better place to do business.”

The bill, which was introduced in both chambers of Congress today, is supported by Idaho Governor Butch Otter, the Idaho Transportation Department, and a broad spectrum of Idaho businesses.  It now goes to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to be vetted and discussed ahead of the 2009 reauthorization of our nation’s surface transportation policy.

Idaho delegation seeks help for the dairy industry

Washington, DC – Idaho’s Congressional Delegation has written U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to urge assistance for the Idaho dairy industry through enhanced utilization of existing federal programs.  Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Representatives Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick say Idaho dairy producers have seen steep drops in the price they receive for dairy products and that a review of existing programs is needed to ensure they are best utilized or improved to enable dairy producers and processors to weather the current difficulty. 

“Employing more than 26,000 individuals, Idaho’s dairy industry is an essential part of Idaho’s economy,” the Delegation writes in the letter to Secretary Vilsack.  “Unfortunately, high input costs, declining prices and decreased demand have significantly impacted the stability of the dairy industry.  Dairy prices have fallen below the level needed by producers to cover operating costs, and numerous producers are operating at a considerable loss.  Dairy producers and processors are working to address these complications.  However, price declines have outpaced solutions.  Without immediate action to assist the industry, jobs and dairy operations could be lost.

The Delegation included the following suggestions that could be of assistance:
• Enabling timely purchasing of dairy products through the Dairy Product Price Support Program (DPPSP) through coordinating of packaging standards and timely grading and inspections
• Converting government dairy stock into consumer friendly dairy products and providing price premiums for value added consumer ready products through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition programs
• Utilizing programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to increase conservation efforts by targeting assistance and using the maximum cost-share
• Defending U.S. producers against unfair trade actions by utilizing the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP)
• Implementing the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels to assist producers with broadening the production of advanced biofuels

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a number of programs that if utilized appropriately can provide a much needed boost for the dairy industry during this time of considerable turmoil,” the Delegation added.  “We encourage you to analyze USDA’s programs, apply them appropriately, and identify any limitations in authority and legislative reforms that may be needed to better assist the dairy community.”

Idaho delegation writes letter to support the state’s wolf management plan

Idaho leaders have sent a letter to President Barack Obama today, asking him to allow publication of a federal rule removing wolves from the list of endangered species and implementing Idaho’s state wolf management plan. 

“Idaho has a long and successful history of managing big game and other species,” the letter states. “We are prepared to manage wolves in a sustainable manner within our borders.”

The letter is signed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, U.S. Senator Jim Risch, U.S. Representative Mike Simpson and U.S. Representative Walt Minnick.

House Agriculture Subcommittees appoints Walt

Last week Congressman Walt Minnick was appointed to two subcommittees of the House Agriculture Committee.

He is now a member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research. That committee oversees soil, water, and resource conservation, small watershed programs, energy and biobased energy production, rural electrification, agricultural credits, and agricultural research, education and extension services.
He is also a member of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. That committee oversees livestock, dairy, poultry, meat, seafood and seafood products, inspection, marketing, and promotion of such commodities, aquaculture, animal welfare, and grazing.

Given Idaho’s diverse agricultural interests, rural communities and vast federal lands, Walt could not be more pleased by the appointments.