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State College, PA – U.S. Rep. John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville, was recognized by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) this afternoon for his work on behalf of farmers across the state, as the agency presented the congressman with its “Friend of the Farm Bureau” award for 2006. The award – given each session to lawmakers who have demonstrated support for the Bureau’s legislative priorities – was presented by Potter County farmers Gene and Nancy Kosa.
“On behalf of our more than 40,000 members, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau would like to thank Congressman Peterson for his support of agriculture and our rural families,” said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.
Peterson, who serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Rural Caucus, has been the lead advocate in Congress pushing for increased access to domestic energy reserves offshore. High energy prices, caused in large part by a national energy policy that encourages domestic demand but continues to lock away domestic supply, tend to hurt the American farmer more than other merchants, since farmers aren’t as readily able – or, in many cases, willing – to pass external price hikes along to the consumer class.
“In this day and age, farmers don’t set the price for the goods they bring to market,” Peterson said. “They take the price they’re given. And when prices go up for essential feedstocks like natural gas – which is used to create nitrogen fertilizer – it’s the farmer that’s forced to take the hit. It has been my top priority in Congress to get these high prices under control, and, as of late, we’ve started to see some success.”
Added Peterson: “But make no mistake: These supply and demand imbalances still exist, and that’s why I’m committed to seeing that the energy legislation I authored earlier this year is passed when I return to Washington this fall.”
In addition to his work on energy-related issues, Peterson supported Pennsylvania’s rural and farm families by voting to permanently repeal the death tax. Under current law, the tax will be repealed in 2010, but reinstated in full the very next year unless Congress votes for a permanent repeal. The death tax, which can be as high as 54 percent, can destroy family-owned businesses by forcing surviving family members to sell land, buildings or equipment to generate enough cash to pay the Internal Revenue Service.
Peterson also supported the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, eliminating most import tariffs between the United States, the Dominican Republic and five Central American countries. The agreement, after full implementation, will increase U.S. farm exports by $1.5 billion because of increased market access and economic growth in the partnering nations.
Additionally, Congressman Peterson voted to prohibit the federal government from exercising eminent domain for economic development, and further, to withhold federal funds from state and local governments that take private property under eminent domain for the purpose of economic development and increased property taxes.
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