2008 Public Policy AgendaLabor and Employment Immigration reform is the domestic social issue of our...

WASHINGTONFARM BUREAU

2008 2008

Public Policy Agenda Public Policy Agenda

Keeping Washington’s working family farms viable

This publication is copyright © 2008

Washington Farm Bureau, PO Box 8690, Lacey, WA 98509

360-357-9975

All rights reserved.

Cover picture:

Cave B Winery grape vines

Tab le o f Con ten t s

Farm Bureau Creed ....................................................................................... ii

President’s Message...................................................................................... iii

Government Relations Team ........................................................................ iv

Energy ........................................................................................................... 1

Land Use ....................................................................................................... 2

Labor and Employment................................................................................. 3

Health Care ................................................................................................... 5

Taxes and Fiscal Policy ................................................................................ 5

Water Management ....................................................................................... 6

WSDA Map: Agriculture — Washington’s No. 1 Employer ........................ 7

Crops and Livestock Products

WSDA Map: Agriculture — Washington’s No. 1 Employer ........................ 8

Food Processing Industry

2 0 0 8 W a s h i n g t o n F a r m B u r e a u P u b l i c P o l i c y A g e n d a

“Because agriculture is

Washington’s number one

employer, allowing

agriculture to thrive is critical

to the ongoing success of our

state’s economy. And,

protecting family farms and

ranches is a large part of

keeping our economy stable.

Not only must our climate be

friendly in order for

agriculture to be productive,

but our state’s business

climate must also be friendly

to the family farmers and

ranchers who raise our food.

Washington Farm Bureau is

committed to protecting the

interests of farming and

ranching families in our state.

And, as such, we look forward

to working with legislators

and the governor to address

legislation that affects the

viability of agriculture in

Washington.”

Britt Dudek

Washington Farm Bureau

First Vice President


Farm Bureau Creed

We Believe . . .

In the American competitive enterprise system.

That man’s search for progress should be encouraged by maintenance of

opportunity, not hindered by illusions of security.

That a person should be rewarded in accordance with his or her productive

contribution to society.

That every person is entitled to own property, earn money honestly, save,

invest and spend as he or she chooses.

That property rights cannot be taken away without infringing on rights

guaranteed by the Constitution.

That the Constitution is the basic law of the land.

That government should operate impartially in the interest of all.

That government’s regulatory functions should be based on law.

That government should provide only minimum controls and aids.

That government should stimulate, not discourage, individual initiative.

That propagandizing by government is dangerous to the maintenance of self-

government.

That monopoly, whether by government, industry, labor or agriculture, is

dangerous.

That voluntary cooperation is a part of the American system.

That all candidates for public office should state their beliefs with respect to

communism, socialism or capitalism.

All these undergirded by our Religious Faith.

i i

Dear Friends of Agriculture,

The year 2007 was a good one for most family farms in Washington. And I

would like to thank our state leaders who recognize the importance of

agriculture to our state’s economy, communities and environment. With

your help, we will continue to fight for the well-being of farmers, ranchers,

and our 35,000 member families throughout the state.

This Public Policy Agenda is an overview of the key issues that impact the

ability of our family farmers and ranchers to operate successfully throughout

our state.

Despite our state’s preeminent rankings in a wide variety of production

criteria, Washington farmers and ranchers struggle each year to achieve

profitability. And, as any business owner will tell you, the business of losing

money isn’t much of a business at all. Unfortunately, with each passing year,

farmers and ranchers face escalating regulatory restrictions and new and

higher taxes. Combined with increased labor costs and an ongoing shortage

of seasonal workers, it’s no wonder that family farmers and ranchers in

Washington are struggling to remain competitive. Despite record commodity

prices, the number of farmers and acreage in production is flat to declining.

Although some of these issues are national or even international in scope,

much can be done by our state’s lawmakers to enhance the viability and

sustainability of Washington agriculture. To that end, we look forward to

working with the Legislature and governor to find innovative ways to keep

farming and ranching profitable. And, in the process, we’d like to see

Washington’s farming and ranching families benefit from the state’s status

as an agricultural leader in the global marketplace.

Sincerely,

Steve Appel

i i i

Pres iden t ’s Message


WFB Mission Statement:

Farm Bureau is a voluntary,

grassroots advocacy

organization representing

the social and economic

interests of farm and ranch

families at the local, state

and national levels. By

providing leadership and

organizational skills, Farm

Bureau seeks to gain public

support on the issues

affecting farm and ranch

families.

Steve Appel


President


Governmen t Re la t ions Team

Dan Wood, Director of Local Affairs

Issues: Growth Management, Land Use, Local Government

Office: 360-357-9975, ext. 109

Cell: 360-870-6018

E-mail: [email protected]

John Stuhlmiller, Director of State Affairs

Issues: Water, Natural Resources, Environment, Energy

Office: 360-357-9975, ext. 103

Cell: 360-870-6017


Dan Fazio, Director of Employer Services

Issues: Labor and Employment

Office: 360-357-9975, ext. 102

Cell: 360-951-8641


Shannon Garland, Administrative Assistant - Public Policy

Office: 360-357-9975, ext. 120


Patrick Connor, Director of National Affairs

Issues: Taxes and Budget, Health Care, Biotechnology, Transportation

Office: 360-357-9975, ext. 110

Cell: 360-359-1250


Britt Dudek, First Vice President

Washington Farm Bureau Legislative Committee Chair

i v


Farm Bureau works to ensure that the farmer’s

voice is heard… through the development of policy resolutions which, when adopted by the

voting delegates, becomes organizational

policy.

The history, economy, culture, and the future of

Washington state to a large degree all involve

agriculture, which is vital to the economic well-

being of the state. The legislature finds that

farmers and ranchers are responsible stewards of

the land, but are increasingly subjected to

complaints and unwarranted restrictions that

encourage, and even force, the premature

removal of lands from agricultural uses.

The legislature further finds that it is now in the

overriding public interest that support for

agriculture be clearly expressed and that

adequate protection be given to agricultural

lands, uses, activities, and operations.

RCW 15.04.400

1 2 0 0 8 W a s h i n g t o n F a r m B u r e a u P u b l i c P o l i c y A g e n d a

Energy /Env i ronmen t

We support and encourage the development of alternative sources of energy

and comprehensive federal and state energy policies that promote reliable and

renewable energy sources. Washington’s capacity for renewable energy

production has placed our state in a unique position to benefit from this

resource. Benefits include new economic opportunities for working family

farms, environmental benefits, independence from foreign oil, and boosting

Washington’s economy.

The notion of climate change has taken a preeminent position in the public

debate related to environmental issues. Climate change is a natural cycle that

the earth has followed for thousands of years. Focusing on greenhouse gas

emissions, especially carbon, does not address the impacts of natural climate

variability. However, since the political debate has shifted to that of finding

ways to adapt to potential impacts of climate variability, it is critical that

agricultural practices be recognized as a benefit.

Farm Bureau seeks policies that will:

• Support efforts to increase the percentage of Washington-produced

feedstock used to produce alternative fuels at in-state production facilities;

• Ensure that any efforts related to addressing climate change recognize the

benefits of agricultural practices; and,

• Support reasonable efforts that encourage buying locally-grown products.

Biodiesel developed from canola grown on Washington

farms is one example of a renewable energy source that

benefits both agriculture and the environment.

The potential of Washington’s

renewable future is directly

linked to a reliance upon

feedstocks grown on

Washington’s family farms

and processed in Washington.

Washington growers have the

ability to produce sufficient

quantities of crops to power

the state; however, this

potential will not be fully

realized without a dependable

market and a supportive

business climate.


Land Use

Pre-existing uses and rights

must be protected and must

remain predictable.

Protecting our rights in

private property is critical to

the survival of agriculture.

Farmers need to have full

economic use of their land

and must not have the value

of their property diminished

through unfair regulations.

The continued viability of agriculture in Washington depends on the ability of

farmers to use all of their resources, including their land. Land-use regulations

increasingly threaten and restrict farming activities. Mandated buffers

adversely affect farms by reducing the acreage and production capacity of

farms, allowing fallow ground to grow weeds and other invasive species and

making those mandated buffers ineligible for federal programs such as the

Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

In many cases, farms are the buffers between sensitive areas and intense

development. When regulations make farming unprofitable, farmland is more

likely to be developed into more intense uses.

Farm Bureau favors approaches that protect existing uses and rights in private

property while providing incentives for habitat improvements, such as leasing

habitat or assistance with voluntary habitat improvements.

Farm Bureau seeks land-use policies that will:

• Provide protection against eminent domain abuse by narrowing the uses

for which eminent domain may be invoked, and requiring that property

taken by eminent domain be used only for the purpose for which it was

taken or be returned to the original owner at the purchase price.

• Require expedited action by local governments and state agencies when

private property is threatened by repeated flooding and erosion;

• Appropriately regulate the use of outside experts by growth boards;

• Oppose the addition of a climate change element to any local planning

activity, including but not limited to, the State Environmental Policy Act

(SEPA), the Growth Management Act (GMA), or the Shoreline

Management Act (SMA);

• Oppose misuse of Metropolitan Park District authority;

• Ensure that the Right to Farm Act continues to protect agriculture

specifically related to agricultural lands within the urban growth areas;

and,

• Protect agricultural land from negative impacts of wetland mitigation

banking.

2

Labor and Employmen t

Immigration reform is the domestic social issue of our time. We must

collectively figure out a way to comprehensively reform our nation’s

immigration system. A combination of factors including an aging workforce

and a global economy make it imperative that we solve this problem. From

Farm Bureau’s perspective, supporting labor-intensive operations like fruit and

vegetable growers is a matter of national security that our state must embrace.

States play a vital positive role by enacting laws that expand the domestic

workforce, like HB 2082, a bill that would provide tuition assistance to

students who spend at least one summer working in agriculture. Regarding

seasonal agriculture, lawmakers should consider these public policy

guidelines:

• Seek positive solutions that will benefit all growers

without favoring one grower or group.

• Refrain from enacting “Washington only” rules that will

disadvantage our farmers compared with farmers from other

states, especially when national standards exist.

Since 9/11, the adequacy of seasonal workforce has been the

number one issue for labor-intensive agriculture. Simply put,

there are inadequate numbers of domestic workers who are

willing to perform migrant and seasonal work, regardless of

the wage. Growers who raise wages end up displacing

workers from neighboring operations, and almost every

employer can tell the sad story of a harvest crew that was

there one day and gone the next. Considering the investment

in the crop, farmers can not afford to rely on a workforce that

is not stable. . .to say nothing about the legality of that

workforce.

A federal rule that would require employers to verify the immigration status of

every worker remains mired in court, but seasonal employers are braced for

the next round of federal worksite enforcement. In Washington, private groups

are filing class action lawsuits using the federal Racketeering Influence and

Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute, seeking millions from farmers who they

say are intentionally hiring undocumented workers.

The lack of a legal and stable workforce has led to a sharp rise in the numbers

of employers who are attempting to use the federal guest worker program (H-

2A).

2 0 0 8 W a s h i n g t o n F a r m B u r e a u P u b l i c P o l i c y A g e n d a 3

In 2007, there were 1,562

bills dealing with

immigration introduced at

the state level.

Seasonal agricultural wages

grew by 9.9 percent from

October 2005 to October

2007, and real (inflation-

adjusted) seasonal

agricultural wages advanced

by 3.9 percent during this

period.

Labor is in short supply.

Greater than 10 percent of all

growers report a lack of

harvest workers, despite

raising wages to the highest

levels ever.

Many farmers provide excellent free housing to workers

without any government subsidy, like these garden

apartment units in Mattawa.


The H-2A program is too complex, and WFB is

working with state and federal agencies to streamline

the process.

Despite the long-term negative trend for labor and

employment unless a workable guest worker program

is enacted, we believe that 2008 may be relatively calm

in Washington. The combination of Washington’s

excellent working conditions and highest in the nation

wages may attract workers from the lagging

construction sector in our state and others.

Finally, agricultural employers are concerned about

intimidating tactics from union organizers. We will

work with the legislature to balance the rights of

workers to be represented by unions, or not, as decided

by a fair and secret election.

Farm Bureau seeks labor policies that will:

• Provide higher education credits for students working in agriculture, and

reduce hurdles to teens working in agriculture;

• Protect Washington’s overtime exemption for agriculture;

• Support workers’ right to a secret ballot on the issue of union

representation, and support the right of employers to freely communicate

with employees;

• When debating paid family leave, exempt seasonal employers from

reinstating workers to jobs if the seasonal jobs are not available when the

leave expires;

• Enact legislation that will force workers' compensation trust funds to be

used for purposes that are related to workers' compensation; and,

• Encourage migrant workers by providing vouchers of $25 per week to

migrant workers who stay in decent housing.

Through the judicious use of

housing vouchers, our state

could provide decent

housing for 5,000 migrant

workers for $1 million per

year, a fraction of the cost

that is presently being spent

to provide fewer units for

less workers.

In 2007, the number of

employers filing applications

for H-2A doubled compared

to the previous year, and

ESD estimates a similar

trend in 2008.

Percent of Washington Growers Reporting a Labor Shortage for

Their Operations, Unweighted by Employment Size

Washington State, July to November 2006

Source: ESD/LMEA, Agricultural Labor Employment & Wage Trends,


Access to affordable health insurance plans for individuals and employers

choosing to provide coverage for their employees continues to be limited due

to statutory and regulatory obstacles.

To promote and protect access to affordable, quality health insurance options

for individuals and employers, Farm Bureau will:

• Support efforts to increase the number of and competition among insurers

offering health care plans in Washington state;

• Support greater flexibility and variety in health insurance plans, including

the use of Health Savings Accounts;

• Oppose regulatory or legislative efforts that would adversely affect

association health plans;

• Oppose legislation to mandate employer-provided health insurance

benefits for employees; and,

• Oppose legislative efforts to enact single-payer or mandatory “universal

coverage” systems.

“At Washington Farm

Bureau we are committed to

providing our members with

access to affordable health

care, no matter how large or

small their operation might

be.”

Hea l th Care

5

Taxes and F i sca l Po l i cy

Since agriculture is a capital-intensive industry, farmers and ranchers often

face a disproportionately high tax burden. Moreover, a number of state

regulations impose tax liabilities on inputs for agriculture that may be

exempted when used in other industries.

In an effort to enhance the viability of agriculture in Washington, Farm

Bureau will:

• Support legislation to exempt propane purchased for on-farm use from

sales and use taxes; and,

• Oppose new/increased taxes or fees that would affect the cost of

transporting agricultural products or jeopardize the ability of

Washington’s agricultural producers to compete in international trade.

Patrick Batts


CEO


Wate r Managemen t

Freeing farmers from the

fear of relinquishing their

water rights due to non-use

will foster more efficient use

of water and unlock

additional options to keep

agriculture strong enough to

continue providing the food

and fiber necessary to feed

and clothe the world.

Each day, 268.7 billion

gallons of water pass

through our state, but only

4.7 billion gallons, or 1.75

percent are consumed.

Efficient water management

is key to the survival of

agriculture in Washington,

as well as to our state’s

economic prosperity.

6

Pasture being irrigated. Photo courtesy of Gisele Macy

Water is key to Washington’s past, present and future economic vitality and

quality of life. The same resource that draws new residents to our unique and

majestic region serves as the source for intense political battles. With 268.7

billion gallons of water passing through the state on a daily basis and a

consumptive demand of only 4.7 billion gallons per day (or 1.75 percent), we

are the envy of much of the world. In spite of this seeming overabundance of

water, we can only meet the needs of in-stream and out-of-stream users if we

properly manage it. This means carefully analyzing how we currently

manage the resource and modifying practices that hinder efficient, predictable

water supply availability and use.

Farm Bureau will:

• Support efforts to repeal or at least modify the relinquishment statute

through means such as eliminating partial relinquishment, in order to

encourage voluntary conservation and wise water use;

• Support the implementation of the Columbia River water package passed

last session to ensure the creation of new water storage projects and the

allocation of that water to meet the needs of in-stream and out-of-stream

uses; and,

• Support retaining the present exempt well statute, especially as the

exemption relates to stock water as affirmed by the 2005 Attorney

General’s Opinion.

8 2 0 0 8 W a s h i n g t o n F a r m B u r e a u P u b l i c P o l i c y A g e n d a

PO Box 8690

975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301

Lacey, WA 98509

Phone: 360-357-9975

Toll free: 800-331-3276

Fax: 360-357-9939

www.wsfb.com

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