Besides working to pass a state budget, several local lawmakers have been busy advancing legislation that would help farmers and save money.
First, State Senator Elder Vogel was one of several Republican lawmakers to advance a package of agricultural support bills including Senate Bill 478 which would establish a tax credit program for landowners to lease or sell farmland to future generations of farmers. The bills in this package will either receive final legislative approval or be sent to the Governor to be signed into law.
Then several state representatives including Lee James and Tedd Nesbit worked with colleagues to bring greater transparency, accountability, and taxpayer savings in funding the State Medical Assistance Transportation Program. This measure halts implementation of a revamped structure for the program until the Department of Human Services completes a review of all costs.