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Monday evening, the Senate passed the 2013 Farm Bill (S. 954, Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013) by a vote of 66-27. The strong support for the bill from both sides of the aisle puts significant pressure on the U.S. House to follow suit when they begin debate on their version of the bill next week

Filed under: Farm Bill • legislation

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Joe Bischoff, Craig Regelbrugge

In late April we reported on the efforts of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means to reform the U.S. taxcode and the potential impact reforms could have on nursery operations’ access to cash accounting practices. The reforms would require C Corporations, including nurseries, with revenue over $10 million to use accrual accounting with inventory. Recent weeks have shown an increased momentum on reform efforts. Senator Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Congressman Camp, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means together launched the website www.taxreform.gov. In addition, Camp highlighted the recent investigation of the IRS as a reason why we need a simpler tax code and why reform is needed. Baucus and Camp are doing everything they can for reform to gain traction.

Filed under: taxes • legislation

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Just two months ago it was hard to envision a new Farm Bill making its way through Congress before other higher profile issues like immigration reform, the debt ceiling, and gun control were sorted out. However, thanks to strong leadership from the chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, the Senate committee passed its version with a bipartisan 15-5 vote and the House committee passed its version on a 36-10 vote. ANLA and OFA are encouraged by the recent progress. The Senate expects to wrap up floor debate of the bill and pass their version late in the week of June 3rd or early the following week. The House is expected to begin floor debate late in June or early July.

Filed under: Farm Bill • legislation

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A busy June Senate calendar features floor consideration of a Farm Bill, now underway, and an historic bipartisan immigration accord. Yet the passing of a sitting U.S. Senator, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, may influence the Senate schedule as colleagues pause to honor his many years of service. It also complicates vote-counting for immigration reform, as Lautenberg’s death reduces by one the pool of safe yes votes for S.744.

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This week, ANLA and 41 partner associations submitted a letter to members of the U.S. Senate urging that they pass Senate bill S.954, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 (2013 Farm Bill). The letter highlights the importance of our industry to U.S. agriculture and the specialty crop provisions that improve the competitiveness of our industry’s crops.

Filed under: Farm Bill • legislation