AG ONE Newsletter February 9, 2020
On February 4, Governor Tom Wolf presented his proposal for the State Budget beginning July 1, 2020. This special issue of AG ONE Newsletter will describe Governor Wolf’s budgetary vision for many agricultural budget items. PA Department of Agriculture hearings are scheduled for February 26 at 10:00 a.m. (House Appropriations Committee) and March 2 at 10:00 a.m. (Senate Appropriations Committee). The Senate Appropriations Committee is holding a hearing on the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine on March 2 at 1:00 p.m. and Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Extension at 3:00 p.m. the same day. Check PCN for viewing schedule.
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Budget Item (state funds) Current FY Proposed
Agriculture Dept. General Gov’t Ops. 33.731 million 33.502 million
(NOTE: Staff complement increases by one in the next fiscal year –for conservation.)
Biosecurity
Ag Preparedness Response Fund 4.0 million same
(NOTE: Includes Spotted Lanternfly)
Conservation/Infrastructure/Preservation
Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Roads 35.0 million same
Conservation District Fund 8.422 million 7.585 million
Ag Conservation Easement Purchase 40.0 million same
Chesapeake Bay Ag. Source Abatement Fund (DEP) 0 3.974 million
Community Conservation Grants (DCNR) 6.120 million 6.0 million
Education/Research
Penn State Extension & Ag Research 54.960 million same
U of Pitt Rural Education Outreach 3.346 million same
PA Fairs
Grants (Race Horse Development Trust Fund) 4.0 million same
Workforce Investment 4.5 million 4.5 million
PA Farm Show General Operations 12.827 million 12.548 million
Farm Products Show Fund 5.0 million same
(Transfer from Horse Race Development Fund)
NOTE: Other income for Farm Show in FY 19-20 came from parking (2.385 million), rental (3.631 million), concessions (1.248 million) and 420,000 from exhibits).
Nutrition
Farmers Market Food Coupons 2.079 million same
PA Ag Surplus System 1.5 million 2.5 million
Veterinary & Animal Health
Animal Health & Diagnostic Comm. 7.3700 million 5.370 million
UPenn School of Veterinary Medicine 31.660 million same
UPenn Center Infectious Diseases 295,000 same
Equine Toxicology & Research Lab 13.0 million 5.896 million
PA Vet Lab 5.309 million same
(Above two items funded by Race Horse Development Trust Fund)
OTHER LINE ITEMS
Centers for Ag Excellence 2.8 million same
Center for Rural PA (General Assembly) 1.128 million same
PA Milk Marketing Board 2.956 million 2.840 million
PA Preferred 3.205 million same
Youth Shows 169,000 same
Nutrient Management Fund 7.217 million 6.329 million
Volunteer Company Loan Fund 25.0 million 20.0 million
Resource: PDA begins on Page 341; Special Funds begin on Page 780.
ELIMINATED IN FY 2020-21 State Budget Proposal
Agriculture Promotion, Education, Exports 553,000 0
Agriculture Research (not Penn State) 2.187 million 0
Food Marketing & Research 494,000 0
Hardwood Promotion 474,000 0
Livestock Show 215,000 0
Livestock & Consumer Protection 1.0 million 0
Open Dairy Show 215,000 0
Rural Leadership Training (DCED) 100,000 0
Horse Racing Purse Account 162.714 million 0
Racing Programs 32.543 million 0
Horse Drug Testing 10.662 million 0
NOTE: Horse Racing Development Fund monies diverted to create a new state scholarship fund.
TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS
Resource Enhancement& Protection (REAP) 13.0 million same
Mobile Telecom Broadband Investment 5.0 million same
Tax Credits for Beginning Farmers 0 5.0 million