Sacramento - Faced with budget problems, the Governor all but eliminated state aid for the Williamson Act in 2009, causing farmers, ranchers and county officials to question the state's commitment to conserving open space and agricultural lands. Senator Dave Cox, Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, last week held a hearing on the Williamson Act – how it works and its impact to local communities and the state. “The Williamson Act is critical to the preservation of California farmland and open space,” said Sen. Dave Cox. “With the Governor’s proposed elimination of the Williamson Act, it is vital that county officials, landowners and conservation organizations speak out about its importance.” Enacted in 1965, the Williamson Act (the Act) allows landowners to contract with counties to conserve their properties as farmland and open space. Since 1972-73, the State General Fund has paid about $875 million as direct subventions to the participating county governments. The state pays counties to replace the property tax revenues that local governments forgo. Total costs to the state are estimated at $120 million annually. Officials from various counties that participate in the Act testified about its value and how the support of the state is needed. Paul Wenger, President of the California Farm Bureau Federation, expressed farmers’ frustration with the state’s questioning of the continued relevance of what many consider to be California’s most important environmental protection law. “The idea that the state no longer needs the Williamson Act is a little like saying that we don’t need the three strikes law anymore because it has worked so well.” Wenger added, “The laws that provide public safety, like food security, are far too important to simply cast aside because they’ve been so effective over time.” Representing the California Cattlemen’s Association, Jack Hanson emphasized the role the Act plays in the survival of family farms. “Reduction in property tax is not a ‘subsidy’ or ‘free lunch’ for land owners. In return, the land owner – at a minimum – commits to a 10 or 20 year contract to keep the land for farming purposes and open spaces,” said Hanson at last Wednesday’s hearing. Hanson who also owns a cattle ranch in Lassen County with his wife and two sons warned that if the Act is eliminated, farm lands and open spaces will be converted to other uses. At the hearing’s conclusion, Chairman Cox commented on the statewide benefits of the Act. “Having the Williamson Act in place promotes food security by protecting the land base, encourages agricultural support industries and preserves the environment. It is a state program that is worthy of our support,” he said. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 09:00
Senate Committee Looks at Williamson Act Funding Cuts
Sacramento - Faced with budget problems, the Governor all but eliminated state aid for the Williamson Act in 2009, causing farmers, ranchers and county officials to question the state's commitment to conserving open space and agricultural lands. Senator Dave Cox, Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, last week held a hearing on the Williamson Act – how it works and its impact to local communities and the state. “The Williamson Act is critical to the preservation of California farmland and open space,” said Sen. Dave Cox. “With the Governor’s proposed elimination of the Williamson Act, it is vital that county officials, landowners and conservation organizations speak out about its importance.” Enacted in 1965, the Williamson Act (the Act) allows landowners to contract with counties to conserve their properties as farmland and open space. Since 1972-73, the State General Fund has paid about $875 million as direct subventions to the participating county governments. The state pays counties to replace the property tax revenues that local governments forgo. Total costs to the state are estimated at $120 million annually. Officials from various counties that participate in the Act testified about its value and how the support of the state is needed. Paul Wenger, President of the California Farm Bureau Federation, expressed farmers’ frustration with the state’s questioning of the continued relevance of what many consider to be California’s most important environmental protection law. “The idea that the state no longer needs the Williamson Act is a little like saying that we don’t need the three strikes law anymore because it has worked so well.” Wenger added, “The laws that provide public safety, like food security, are far too important to simply cast aside because they’ve been so effective over time.” Representing the California Cattlemen’s Association, Jack Hanson emphasized the role the Act plays in the survival of family farms. “Reduction in property tax is not a ‘subsidy’ or ‘free lunch’ for land owners. In return, the land owner – at a minimum – commits to a 10 or 20 year contract to keep the land for farming purposes and open spaces,” said Hanson at last Wednesday’s hearing. Hanson who also owns a cattle ranch in Lassen County with his wife and two sons warned that if the Act is eliminated, farm lands and open spaces will be converted to other uses. At the hearing’s conclusion, Chairman Cox commented on the statewide benefits of the Act. “Having the Williamson Act in place promotes food security by protecting the land base, encourages agricultural support industries and preserves the environment. It is a state program that is worthy of our support,” he said. A TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
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