Olympia, WA - 5/2/01 - A package of bills that would provide $7 million in tax relief to

Washington's farmers, ranchers and orchardists is back on track in the state

Legislature. After passing the House the first time April 17, the bills died

in the Senate when the regular session concluded April 22. The House

re-passed the three bills Tuesday on the seventh day of the special session.

Ninth District Reps. Mark Schoesler and Don Cox said they're hopeful the

measures will succeed on the second try.

"The agriculture industry has been on the losing end of circumstances beyond

its control, and farmers are facing their most difficult crisis in

decades," said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. "This package of legislation isn't

the total answer, but it's a hand up at a time when the industry hasn't had

any good news in a long time. Family farms, jobs and our quality of life are

on the brink of disaster, and these bills can mean a small measure of relief

for farmers and the rural communities they live in."

The cornerstone of the ag relief package is House Bill 1906, which Cox and

Schoesler co-sponsored. Beginning in 2003, it would provide a personal

property tax exemption on farm equipment and machinery. The 9th District

lawmakers noted that the bill would not affect local property taxes, so

rural counties - already hit by lower tax revenues - would not be hurt

further.

A second measure would allow tax breaks on animal health care products,

including vaccinations and antibiotics (HB 1886). The third bill (HB 2138)

is aimed at helping the state's dairy industry. The proposal would provide

tax breaks on heating fuels for poultry farmers, as well as lower business

and occupation taxes for dairy processors.

Cox emphasized that while tax relief legislation will offer farmers

much-needed short-term help, more needs to be done to get rules and

regulatory agencies off the industry's back.

"The key to helping farmers stay in business is relief from the excessive

regulatory burdens that affect their every move, from shoreline management

to expensive ergonomics rules," said Cox, R-Colfax. "Tax breaks aren't

enough in the long term to help Northwest farmers strangling in the

choke-hold of over-regulation. These bills move us in the right direction,

but it's the state's own regulatory obstacles that are blocking success to

revitalizing the agricultural economy."

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