New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney started a listening tour focused on renewing the federal Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill is updated every five years and gives policymakers the chance to fix former problems across the nation. Tenney told a Genesee County audience that her goal is to make sure Upstate New York doesn’t get left behind.
“We are producing a lot of milk, but we’re having issues, you know the price to a point where it’s competitive for farmers,” Tenny said.
Tenney said an improved margin protection program is a way to accomplish that goal, but is still trying to learn the different stances of farmers in her district. The visits will give farmers a chance to show where they stand and what they feel should be incorporated into the legislation.
Tenney also supports the controversial Farm Worker Modernization Act. The act was meant to establish a program for agricultural working immigrants to earn legal status through employment but was not able to make it through Congress. The Republican said there are still job positions that need to be filled.
“We’d like to have a way to prevent the risk to the farmers, give them some protection,” Tenny said. “And I think that’s what the Farm Worker Modernization Bill does.”
Tenney has already stopped by Batavia in Genesee County and is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday visit at the Oswego County Legislative chamber and 10 a.m. Thursday at the Phelps Community Center in Ontario County.
