FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 9, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer today applauded the Kentucky General Assembly and Gov. Steve Beshear for enacting legislation that sets up a trust fund to help pay for Kentucky agricultural programs.
“This law will help the Kentucky Department of Agriculture carry out the programs Kentuckians expect and deserve,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I want to thank the legislature for passing this bill and Gov. Beshear for signing it.”
House Bill 100 creates a revolving fund to be used for the Department’s agricultural programs. Revenue for the fund will come from voluntary contributions from anyone who applies for or renews a Kentucky farm truck license registration. Anyone registering or renewing registration for a farm truck may opt out of making the contribution. The fund also may accept contributions from other sources, and balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year will carry forward into the next year.
The bill took effect when the Governor signed it into law on Friday.
The Department’s funding has been reduced by one-third in the past 10 years (adjusted for inflation). The KDA has cross-trained some employees and utilized new technology in an attempt to compensate for the decline in its budget. But the Department no longer has the funding to carry out some programs, and its ability to meet its statutory responsibilities has been strained because of a lack of funding and personnel.
Monday, March 9, 2009
For more information contact:Bill Clary
(502) 564-1137
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer today applauded the Kentucky General Assembly and Gov. Steve Beshear for enacting legislation that sets up a trust fund to help pay for Kentucky agricultural programs.
“This law will help the Kentucky Department of Agriculture carry out the programs Kentuckians expect and deserve,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I want to thank the legislature for passing this bill and Gov. Beshear for signing it.”
House Bill 100 creates a revolving fund to be used for the Department’s agricultural programs. Revenue for the fund will come from voluntary contributions from anyone who applies for or renews a Kentucky farm truck license registration. Anyone registering or renewing registration for a farm truck may opt out of making the contribution. The fund also may accept contributions from other sources, and balances in the fund at the end of the fiscal year will carry forward into the next year.
The bill took effect when the Governor signed it into law on Friday.
The Department’s funding has been reduced by one-third in the past 10 years (adjusted for inflation). The KDA has cross-trained some employees and utilized new technology in an attempt to compensate for the decline in its budget. But the Department no longer has the funding to carry out some programs, and its ability to meet its statutory responsibilities has been strained because of a lack of funding and personnel.
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