Family farmers endorse Schwarzenegger for re-election

» August 22, 2006 «

Farm Bureau launches "No Tractor Tax" campaign

Calling the November election critical to the future of family farming and ranching in California, the California Farm Bureau Federation endorsed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for re-election today.

California Farm Bureau President Doug Mosebar endorses Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger during an event in Buttonwillow.

The governor accepted the endorsement from the state's largest farm group during events in Buttonwillow and Fresno.

Farm Bureau was one of the earliest groups to endorse Schwarzenegger during his original campaign in 2003, and said the governor had made California a better place for farms, ranches and other family businesses.

"Governor Schwarzenegger understands that high taxes and excessive regulations threaten the future of family farms and ranches," California Farm Bureau President Doug Mosebar said. "He knows that to be truly sustainable, farms and ranches need reliable water, expanding markets and a healthy business climate."

Mosebar noted that Farm Bureau members had given Schwarzenegger a 75 percent favorability rating in a recent, statewide survey--in part because of his pledge not to raise taxes during his term in office. By contrast, Democratic candidate Phil Angelides received a favorability rating of only 11 percent.

"The governor's opponent has threatened to raise taxes on family farmers and ranchers," Mosebar said. "Phil Angelides wants to hike taxes on tractors and diesel fuel at a time when farmers and ranchers suffer sharp cost increases for fuel, fertilizer and other crucial supplies. Raising taxes on family farmers will kill jobs and weaken the California economy. The tractor tax issue will drive farmers to the polls this November."

Farm Bureau is launching a "No Tractor Tax" campaign to mobilize members of the state's 53 county Farm Bureaus, by underlining the sharp differences between the two gubernatorial candidates.

Angelides has said he wants to end a 5 percent sales-tax exemption on farm equipment and diesel fuel used on farms, which California enacted in 2001. The law places California tax policy in line with most other states.

Because of the high cost of farm equipment and diesel fuel--and the unpredictability of agricultural markets--family farmers say the tax exemption can mean the difference between profit and loss. In California, the nation's No. 1 agricultural state, farms generate nearly $32 billion in cash receipts and support more than 1 million jobs.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 88,000 members.

Contact: Dave Kranz
Phone: 916/561-5550
news@cfbf.com

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