Have you seen the movie Groundhog Day?  Once again we have to fight at our state capitol to retain the sales tax exception for ag inputs and farm machinery.  There was an amendment placed on Senate Bill 4 that puts a sunset date of December 2012 on all existing state tax credit and exemptions, including the ag input and equipment sales tax exception along with most state income tax exemptions, credits and deductions.  This unfriendly House amendment # 1 was attached to a good piece of legislation, Senate Bill 4, that seeks to provide a reasonable tax credit to keep a tire manufacturer in Mt. Vernon, IL from leaving the state.  Click here to see a copy of the amendment.  The sponsors of SB 4 are not to blame for what has happened to their bill.  If you do not know who your state representative is, double click on the "Legislation" bar on the IFCA website and enter your 9 digit zip code. You can reach your state rep in their district office today (Friday) and also on Monday; they return to Springfield on Tuesday and can be reached at their Springfield office.  Please make your phone calls before March 9th.  If you have questions please contact Jean Payne. 

 

Some Hopeful News on Pesticide NPDES Permits:  In Washington, things are a little better.  The US House of Representatives has introduced HR 872 which is a bill to eliminate the requirement to get a NPDES permit for pesticide applications.  We are currently seeking sponsors for this legislation and the Illinois Congressmen are doing a great job of signing on to the bill.  We know at this point that Congressman Tim Johnson and Congressman Bobby Schilling have agreed to be co-sponsors.  Please contract your US Congressman and urge them to sign on to HR 872 to eliminate this unnecessary regulatory burden on pesticide applicators; we are already regulated under FIFRA and don't need to be regulated under the Clean Water Act too.  The USEPA has also asked the courts to extend the compliance date of April 9, 2011 for another six months.  We are still waiting to see if the courts agree with request.