News Releases for February 2003
February 13, 2003
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Seeks Targeted Farm Disaster Assistance
Governor Sends Dalrymple to Washington
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today said he has sent Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple to Washington, D.C. to rally support for targeted payments in the disaster aid package that Congress agreed to yesterday.
Congressional negotiators arrived at a compromise package Wednesday with assistance from Vice President Richard Cheney. The agreement provides $3.1 million from existing farm spending. Senators and Congressmen met last night, and continue to meet today, in an effort to determine where in the agriculture budget the dollars will come from and how it will be distributed.
“We worked hard to get this package, and the good news is that we’re getting aid to farmers and ranchers,” Hoeven said. “We’re disappointed, however, that the assistance is coming out of existing farm program dollars. However, now we need to make sure that the money is targeted to farmers and ranchers who need it most.”
Hoeven and three other governors sent a letter to the White House earlier this week urging President Bush to support the $3.1 billion package. The Governor also spoke this week with U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to urge inclusion of the aid package and targeted payments to the most needy producers.
“We’ve made progress, but we aren’t finished yet,” Hoeven said. “I’m hopeful that the Lieutenant Governor can help to ensure that assistance goes to those most affected by disaster.”
E-mail comments to the Governor
