Issues
Deficit Reduction Irrigation Subsidies
I have authored legislation, the Irrigation
Subsidy Reduction of 2001, to reduce the amount of federal
irrigation subsidies received by large agribusiness interests.
I believe that reforming federal water pricing policy by reducing
subsidies is important as a means to achieving a truly balances
budget. This legislation is also needed to curb fundamental
abuses of reclamation law that cost the taxpayer millions
of dollars every year.
In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt proposed legislation,
which came to be known as the Reclamation Act of 1902, to
encourage development of family farms throughout the western
United States. As a result of the subsidized financing provided
by the federal governments, however some of the beneficiaries
of federal water projects repay considerably less than their
full share of these costs.
According to a 1996 GAO report, irrigators generally receive
the largest amount of federal assistance among beneficiaries
of the Act. As of 1994, irrigators had repaid only $941 million
of the $7.1 billion they owe. I believe that large agribusinesses
should pay their fair share. We should act to close the loopholes
in the current law and increase the return to the treasury
from irrigators.
Enforcing
Budget Discipline
Ending
Automatic Pay Raise for Members of Congress
Reducing
the Number of Political Appointees
Reducing
Irrigation Subsidies to Large Agribusinesses
Military
Base Closings
Related: Environment
- Environmental Protection Through Deficit Reduction
Related: Seniors
- Protecting Social Security
Related: National
Security - Defense Spending
Deficit
Reduction Main
|
