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August 8, 2014
Volume 14
Issue 24
STATE NEWS
LOCAL BUDGET NOTICES HEADED TO THE Internet The era of legal publication for local budgets will be ending in 2014. In the last legislative session, the Department of Local Government Finance pushed legislation that changed the legal notice requirements for local government and school budgets. DLGF originally requested a complete shift from newspaper legal ads to posting on the Internet. However, Indiana Farm Bureau successfully argued that not all citizens, and certainly not those in rural areas, have access to the Internet.
As a compromise, budget adoption notices will be published in the newspaper this fall for 2015 budgets and tax levies. Advertisements, budget and tax levy information will no longer be required to be published in newspapers starting in 2015 for budget year 2016. See Internet budget notices published to date.
To assist taxpayers with this transition, counties are required to publish a notice pertaining to the online availability of budget notices in 2014 and 2015. These notices will provide taxpayers with the Internet address for future notice postings, as well as to provide taxpayers with a toll-free phone number through which they may request free hard copies of budget advertisements for specific political subdivisions. The notification about the website is in addition to the traditional Notice to Taxpayers (Budget Form 3) which all units must also publish and submit online as a means to advertise the county’s proposed budgets and levies. Taxpayers should watch for this notice before Sept. 14. Taxpayers may call the DLGF at 888-739-9826 for assistance.
FEDERAL NEWS
AUGUST RECESS CAMPAIGN KICKS-OFF August recess has officially begun and now is the time to advocate on the issues important to your farm and the agriculture industry. Among the effective ways to do this:
The primary focus for Hoosier farmers during August recess should be the EPA and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ proposed Waters of the United States rule. In addition to talking with members of Congress, farmers should send comments on the proposed rule to EPA. For more information about the rule and how to take action, visit the Waters of Indiana website. Additional materials and resources can be found by visiting the American Farm Bureau Federation “Ditch the Rule” website. The deadline to submit comments to the EPA is Oct. 20.
Other priority issues during the August recess include GMO labeling and renewable fuels.
Brief summaries and talking points for the three top priority issues during this recess can be found by visiting the public policy team website.
If you have questions or require more information about Farm Bureau’s August recess campaign, you may contact Kyle Cline, national policy advisor, 317-692-7845.
FARM BILL EDUCATION MEETINGS SET FOR AUGUST 19-20 Still wondering how the new farm bill will impact you? Unsure of which program is the right fit for your farm or searching for general status updates on USDA implementation? Indiana Farm Bureau is co-hosting a series of farm bill educational meetings with Farm Credit Mid-America and the Indiana Farm Service Agency on Aug. 19 and 20. Registration is encouraged.
WATERS OF THE U.S. INFORMATION MEETINGS To find detailed information on meeting locations or to register for one of the remaining meetings, please visit the Waters of Indiana website and click on the Take Action tab and Attend a Meeting.
OTHER NEWS
AMERICANS LOVE BACON Nearly 80 percent of Americans surveyed said they would support a petition to declare bacon the official national food of America. Read more.
RIGHT TO FARM NARROWLY PASSES IN MISSOURI Voters in Missouri approved a constitutional amendment allowing for a right-to-farm, 50.1 percent of the vote — a difference of 2,528 votes. Read more.
CALLING THE COWS HOME A Kansas farmer entertains his herd with a trombone solo.
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