Press release:
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that the Legislature has included several well-funded programs in the 2015-16 Enacted Budget that will bolster local agriculture. Hawley announced a $1 million initiative for the Beginning Farmers NY Fund to attract young people to the career of farming, a $4.2 million increase for local agriculture assistance programs, and a $500,000 loan fund for the Soil and Water Conservation Committee to create a revolving loan fund for drain tile installation on farms.
“As the former owner of Hawley Farms, I know the struggles that farmers face on a yearly basis,” Hawley said. “I have worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of Western New York’s farmers and I am proud to see these proposals pass in the Assembly today. Farmers constantly deal with threats to their businesses such as drought, heavy rainfall and destructive insects. These proposals will help keep our agriculture industry flourishing, entice young people to the industry, and allow farmers to obtain loans they will use to protect and enhance their crop production.”
Once again, Assemblyman
Once again, Assemblyman Hawley is applauding a few crumbs from the master's table, and as usual the beneficiary in our district is the farmers. Farmers are a deserving avocation, BUT there should be a sizable influx of cash for infrastructure repair, not only in Hawley's district but all of upstate, which would also create jobs in the process of making the terribly needed repairs. And how about property tax relief? But no! Rather, the legislature managed to approve a tax break for the purchase of private planes and yachts!!! http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/03/31/state-budget-gives-tax-breaks-fo…
BTW, as happened the past two years, no mention of blocking funding for the unConstitutional NYSAFE. Especially this year, since the GOP has the majority in the Senate [along with the couple Democrats who are opposed to the SAFE Act] and thus should have been able to block passage of the Budget until NYSAFE is nullified... SOS.
What about the property tax
What about the property tax payers..Does Mr.Hawley also approve of the sales tax breaks for private planes and boats over 230,000...Seems like all Mr.Hawley cares about is how much welfare he can get in the farmers hands..Just last week he wanted farmers to get free access to the thruway..This budget should be voted down..When do they shrink the size of state government?..The middle case doesn't stand a chance in New York State.
Mark. Just wondering where
Mark. Just wondering where you get your so-called 'information'.
I've been unable to find ANY statement by (Rep.) Hawley that "...he wanted farmers to get free access to the thruway.."
Yes, he has co-sponsored a bill which provides "a tax credit of 75 percent of the Thruway tolls". That doesn't equate to 'free access'.
And, said bill stipulates that certain criteria must be met for even THAT amount of 'tax credit' - ie. "Under the bill, to receive the tax credit, farm vehicles cannot exceed 26,000 pounds and must be controlled and operated by a farmer for the transport of agriculture products, farm supplies or farm machinery." (copied/pasted from http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/hawley-calls-agriculture-tax-credit… )
Not saying that Hawley didn't say what you posted, Mark. Just asking for a link to some statement by him stating what you posted.