News Releases for February 2002
February 25, 2002
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Hoeven Meets With Top D.C. Officials On Farm Bill, Grasslands Plan, Canadian Wheat Board, Military Bases, BNSF Rate Structure
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven met with a number of top Washington officials over the weekend and Monday about a range of issues affecting North Dakota.
Hoeven Presses for Prompt Action on Farm Bill
The Governor met today with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and her chief of staff, Dale Moore, on the 2002 Farm Bill, the National Forest Service Grasslands Plan and the Canadian Wheat Board.
“Our meeting was productive,” Hoeven said. “I hope it will help in moving the farm bill forward.”
Hoeven asked Veneman for Administration support and prompt action on the 2002 Farm Bill as it makes its way through a joint congressional conference committee. Veneman assured Hoeven that the Administration is committed to working with the conference committee to get a bill passed in time for spring planting. She said the President is also committed to supporting a safety net, and is prepared to push the bill through and get it signed quickly.
Should the bill become stalled in conference committee, Veneman said, the President is committed to providing the money for a supplemental assistance package. According to Veneman, his budgeting the entire $73.5 billion before the bill is even signed evidences the President’s commitment to a farm program. Such a commitment is “unheard of,” according to Veneman.
Hoeven Secures Rancher Input on Management Plan for Dakota Prairie Grasslands
Hoeven and Veneman also discussed the Forest Service’s Dakota Prairie Grasslands Plan. The Governor pressed the need for the Forest Service to meet with North Dakota ranchers and make sure that the new plan will not adversely impact ranching operations in the state before proceeding.
Veneman indicated a willingness to send her second in command, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jim Moseley, or Under Secretary Mark Rey to meet with North Dakota ranchers before the plan is finalized to ensure that ranchers are treated fairly. Moseley and Rey oversee the Forest Service, which operates under the U.S.D.A.
Hoeven Seeks Action Against Canadian Wheat Board
With regard to the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), Hoeven asked the Administration to be more aggressive on disciplining the inequitable trade practices of the CWB. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick recently determined that the CWB engages monopolistic trade practices, but failed to impose Tariff Rate-Quotas (TRQ) sanctions. Hoeven has pressed for TRQ to level an unfair advantage under the CWB.
Veneman said the Administration would press for reforms in the CWB’s monopoly power and lack of transparency through World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, but Hoeven stressed the need for more immediate action to provide American farmers with a timely remedy.
Hoeven Opens Dialogue with Administration on Military Assets
Hoeven and North Dakota Adjutant General Mike Haugen met with Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche, Director of Legislative Liaison Maj. General Leroy Barnidge, Jr., and Assistant Secretary for Installations and Environment Nelson Gibbs to discuss the status of military assets and base closings in the state. Roche told Hoeven he welcomed the dialogue, and the meeting was positive, according to Hoeven.
They discussed the air force bases at Minot and Grand Forks, with an emphasis on future missions at the installations.
“We have a first-rate National Guard in North Dakota, and we have first-rate bases,” Hoeven said. “Our performance, airspace and community support give North Dakota a leadership role and a bit of an edge.”
The Governor and the Secretary agreed to continue the dialogue as decisions about the bases arise. Hoeven said that Roche recognizes the economic impact the bases have on the state, and that that would be considered in formulating decisions. The meeting was in line with the recent launching of the Governor’s Task Force on Military Affairs, which is addressing the future viability and vitality of military bases and infrastructure in the state.
Hoeven Pushes for Regional Response to BNSF Pricing Policy
Hoeven addressed the issue of Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway’s shipping rates with fellow governors. Hoeven’s office has drafted a letter to BNSF, and he’s asked the governors of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Minnesota to join him in signing it. The letter asks BNSF to roll back its preferential pricing policy, which hurts small elevators throughout the region.
“So far, Governors Martz of Montana and Janklow of South Dakota have signed on,” Hoeven said. “We’re currently waiting for support from Nebraska, Wyoming and Minnesota to press for lower and more equitable shipping rates from BNSF.”
Hoeven said that one of the advantages of coming to National Governor’s Association is that governors can meet personally about issues of mutual concern and ask for support on matters that affect the whole region.
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