Tester Statement on Proposed Farm Service Agency Office Closures
It’s about Priorities and Participation, Candidate Says
Farmer and U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester today issued the following comment on a tentative proposal to close six of Montana’s Farm Service Agency offices within the next year:
“Why is it that our country can afford tax breaks for oil companies during record high prices, but we can’t afford to keep six farm offices open in Montana?
“These closures are going to mean more miles for farmers and ranchers to drive, which means more gas, more maintenance on equipment, more money, and more time, all of which are in short supply during the harvest.
“The lack of funding for the Farm Service Agency simply proves once again that Washington is out of touch with Montana. I think Senator Burns should make sure the Bush Administration puts a stop to this idea and I think he should stand on the side of Montana farmers and ranchers. Our farmers and ranchers shouldn’t have to drive farther to get the help and service they deserve.”
Jon Tester is a farmer from Big Sandy and currently serves as President of the Montana Senate. He is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.
Posted on Tuesday, October 11th, 2005 at 12:00 pm.
