National Master Ed Luttrell speaking with Bruce Croucher and reporter

NYS Grange Master Oliver Orton welcoming Grangers, reporters and guests to the press conference

National Master Ed Luttrell speaking at the NYS Grange Headquarters on broadband issues

Craig Schutt, District Manager Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District discussing the current work being done on Recycling Ag Plastics

Enjoying Lunch after the press conference

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National Master Ed Luttrell speaking with Bruce Croucher and reporter

National Master Ed Luttrell spoke to reporters and Grangers at NYS Headquarters on Friday April 2nd.
He discussed bringing Broadband technology to all Americans, especially to rural areas. Encouraging Grange members to be part
of the process, in similar fashion to the efforts made to bring mail delivery, telephone and electrical service to rural homes.

Also addressing the group was Craig Schutt, District Manager, Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District with an update on the
Recycling Agricultural Plastics program. For more information on the recycling program please  

OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

 IN 2010, New York State Grange…

Strongly supports (1) funding for dairy assistance through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (2) increase in loan guarantees to dairy operators through U.S. Department of Agriculture (3) Class I base floor price of $18 (eighteen) dollars per hundredweight (cwt) (4) a marketing order program that prices milk for both domestic and international markets and (5) a milk supply management program endorsed by dairy producer groups.

Urges federal legislation that would amend the regulations of the Clean Water Act, to limit the powers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Protection Agency over inland waters and wetland, thus preserving States and individual rights.

Supports funding be secured for the Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project (RAPP) through the Department of Agriculture and Markets Fund.

Urges that any health care reform legislation addresses needs of rural areas, including the shortage of doctors and professional nurses and affordable prescription medications. 

Opposes all mandates placed on public schools and local governments without adequate funding.

Supports several initiatives for property tax relief in funding of public schools.

Seeks legislation that would consolidate regulations of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) oversight of food and drugs for human consumption and consider reassignment of some of these responsibilities to either Department of Agriculture or Health and Homeland Security, for example. 

Encourages the research and development of safe, economical, and environmentally friendly alternative energy sources.

Seeks legislation for statewide efforts in developing and promoting recycling practices including citizen awareness of the wide range of materials that can be recycled and provide collaboration between all levels of governments to achieve successful recycling endeavors.

Supports tax break incentives for only those companies who keep all jobs within United States and that the production business remains physically in the United States.

2010 TOP PRIORITIES

 Click here for a printable version of the Priorities

1. Supports governmental funding to dairy farmers, low interest loans, federal milk system and a supply management program, and milk price on Class I floor price of $18/cwt.

2. Supports amendments to Clean Water Act to limit powers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Environmental Protection Agency and would preserve States and individual rights.

3. Supports funding for the Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project (RAPP).

4. Urges health care reform that includes the shortage of medical personnel and affordable prescription medications.

5. Opposes mandates on public schools and local governments without adequate funding.

6. Supports alternatives to property tax for funding to schools.

7. Seeks legislation to make food and drugs for human consumption more safe.

8. Encourages research and development of alternative energy sources.

9. Seeks legislation for statewide efforts in developing and promoting recycling practices

10. Supports tax breaks for companies who keep jobs and physical plants in the U.S.

Sections of the 2010 Legislative Handbook: (Click on the name to display an easy to print copy of that section) Adobe Reader needed,     to download a copy

For a copy of the Resolutions passed at the 2009 New York State Grange Session, click here

 Links to Area Senators and Assembly Representatives

NY District Senators (with easy search tools)

Senator Mailing List (PDF document)

NY Assembly

How to write a resolution

Clear, concise title: While a resolution need not have a title when it is submitted to Pomona or State Grange, a title from the originating body is helpful. It can be modified as the resolution moves along to higher bodies. If there is not a title to a resolution once it reaches the State Legislative Director one will be assigned.

Whereas sections: State the problem or concern in the first section. State facts, not opinions! Note that “WHEREAS” is capitalized; and a comma is followed by “and” at the end of each paragraph.
Each fact should be a separate paragraph, preceded by “WHEREAS,” and the last paragraph ends with “therefore be it”

Resolve section: Calls for the desired action and by whom the action is required…usually in support of some action or opposes some action. If there is more that one action or solution requested, tie them together with the words  “and be it further” at the end of the first Resolve section. Properly written, this paragraph is a summary of action desired and policy to be set. REMEMBER, the RESOLVE section(s) of a resolution should make sense if none of the WHEREAS sections are present. Read the RESOLVE to see that the full meaning is clear when standing alone.

Signature/Date: A resolution submitted to a higher level of Grange or to elected officials should be signed by two Grange leaders: Grange Master (President), Grange Secretary, and/or Legislative Chairman of that Grange. If the Grange can provide a Grange seal on the document, all the better, but it is not required. The date in the lower left hand corner is suggested so that the body receiving the resolution will know when the Grange adopted  this position.

It is suggested that resolutions pass from Subordinate (Community) Granges through Pomona Granges and then when adopted at that level, to be forwarded to State Grange when the issue is of state or national significance.

As the deadline for submission of resolutions to State Grange is September 1 of each year, a resolution from a Subordinate (Community) Grange must go directly to State Grange when there is no meeting of the respective Pomona Grange prior to the State Grange convention in October.

Resolution postmarked or personally delivered after September 1 must have 30 copies provided to be considered by the delegates at the October meeting.

Resolutions submitted to State Grange are to be sent directly to the Legislative Director at his home address:

            Roger J. Halbert

            83 Spring Street

            PO Box 321

            Gilbertsville NY 13776

607-783-2691   email Roger Halbert

Legislative Day at State Headquarters September 26, 2009

Roger & Helen Halbert welcome Donald Drake to Legislative Day 2009 at the State Grange Headquarters

Jared Wooley and Chip Pratt, Special Assistant to the Commissiioner of Agriculture and Markets visiting before the day's program began

Senator James Seward

Education Co-chair Donald Drake and Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES District Superintendent Ellen O'Donnell

State Master Oliver Orton concluded the day with thanks to all who attended.

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Roger & Helen Halbert welcome Donald Drake to Legislative Day 2009 at the State Grange Headquarters

 

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