Commentary: Farm Team launches 'No Tractor Tax' campaign

Issue Date: September 13, 2006

By Kiran Black
CFBF Political Affairs Director

Shasta County farmer and Farm Team member Bob Nash participates in a "No Tractor Tax" rally in Redding. Farmers and ranchers in California are concerned about gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides' proposal to abolish the tax equity package that brings the state's tax policy in line with most other states.

Making farming less profitable will not create jobs or keep California's economy strong. That is why the November elections are more important than ever for all California family farmers and ranchers. You have a choice in this election that will be critical to your ability to do business.

California is the most highly regulated and costliest state in the nation to farm and ranch, and the outcome of the gubernatorial race will have lasting consequences on our business climate.

Democratic candidate Phil Angelides' policies include more than $18 billion in higher taxes, changes to the Proposition 13 property tax protections, initiation of an employer mandated health care program and the willingness to roll back Gov. Schwarzenegger's successful workers' compensation reform.

Angelides' policies are in stark contrast to the governor's and clearly bad for small business and bad for California's family farmers and ranchers.

Specifically, Angelides wants to close so-called "corporate tax loopholes" by rolling back the partial sales tax exemption on agricultural equipment and diesel and the full exemption on purchase of propane.

Angelides does not understand farming and ranching, as he associates family farmers with corporate interests even though 97 percent of California's farms and ranches are family owned.

The tax equity package on purchase of farm equipment, diesel fuel and propane used on farms was enacted in California in 2001, bringing California tax policy in line with most other states.

Only three other states fully tax farm equipment: Washington, Nevada and Hawaii. Reinstating the sales tax will ultimately have a negative effect on our rural communities, as producers will undoubtedly look out of state for purchases of agricultural machinery.

This is why Farm Bureau called upon our grass-roots Farm Team members to implement an unprecedented "No Tractor Tax" campaign to influence the outcome of this election.

We are stepping up our efforts and engaging in new strategies to mobilize our members and ensure the future viability of California's farms and ranches. Our presence demonstrates that we have a stake in this election and keeps agricultural issues in the forefront.

Farm Team members are taking an active role to engage the farming and business communities to re-elect the governor to highlight the sharp contrast between the two gubernatorial candidates and their visions for California agriculture.

The "No Tractor Tax" campaign, with the participation of county Farm Bureaus, is taking action by posting campaign signs and holding events throughout the state in opposition to Angelides' efforts to raise taxes on family farmers and ranchers.

The dozen or more press events ranging from as far north as Redding, down to Bakersfield and across to Santa Maria leave no doubt that family farmers view the re-election of Gov. Schwarzenegger as critical to the future of farming and ranching in California.

Before long you will see "Re-Elect Arnold, Supported by Family Farmers" signs on roadways across California. Yard and road signs are available at your county's Farm Bureau office.

Are you interested in participating in Farm Bureau's "No Tractor Tax" campaign? Visit www.cfbf.com/NoTractorTax to see Farm Team in action and join the effort.

Find out what you can do to make a difference, view recent news and media coverage and download facts and history of the partial sales tax exemption.

There is no better time than now to become involved with the Farm Team. The future viability of our farms and ranches is at stake and doing nothing will have lasting consequences.

(Kiran Black is the CFBF manager of political affairs. She may be contacted at kblack@cfbf.com.)

Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item. Top