O’Dell, continued
to monitor livestock markets to ensure competition.
However, AFBF believes this legislation interferes with
forward contracts and marketing agreements that are
common in cattle and hog production.
The West Virginia Legislature has established the
budget for 2017. The budget includes a 65-cent tobacco
tax increase that is expected to generate about $98
million in revenue. The rest of the budget gap fix will
be accomplished by account sweeps and across-theboard reductions of 2 to 10 percent in state agencies.
Projections for 2018 and beyond continue to predict a
$300-$400 million gap. The new governor to be elected
this fall will face an immediate challenge as to how to
proceed. Many are saying that our size of government
has outgrown what we can afford.
I hope you enjoyed your Independence Day
celebrations. The Fourth of July has been a paid holiday
for federal employees since 1941, but the tradition
of celebrating goes back to the 18th century and the
American Revolution. In June 1776, the Continental
Congress declared its independence from Great
Britain. On July 4, 1776, Congress formally adopted
the Declaration of Independence document, which was
largely written by Thomas Jefferson. (The original vote
for independence actually occurred on July 2.)
PRESENTING A PRIVATE OFFER
FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS
We have truly been blessed to live in such a great
country. America celebrated with parades, fireworks,
concerts, ballgames and of course plenty of hot dogs.
Every day is a great day to reflect on and celebrate the
freedom we now enjoy due to the sacrifices of many
who gave their lives to win and preserve this freedom.
Don’t forget these words found in the document that
Jefferson wrote: “We hold these truths to be self-evident;
that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that
to secure these rights, governments are instituted among
men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed.” Don’t miss the meaning of the last line of
this statement: government gets its power only from
the governed. The Declaration of Independence, along
with our Constitution and the Bill of Rights, are the
cornerstones of the founding of our country.
In late June, I saw another example of what has made
America great. After devastating floods and winds, we
saw neighbors and strangers come together to support,
assist, and re-establish families affected by the storms.
From time to time, America has veered off the original
path laid out by our founding fathers, but this recent
desire to help is a great example of the dedication and
steadfastness that West Virginians and Americans have.
If I can be of service to you, please call me at 304871-0885, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
Have a great day!
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West Virginia Farm Bureau News 19