Conservation News
State restores 2003 soil conservation cost-share funds
By Dale Johnson
Money for soil conservation funding in fiscal year 2003 was restored on Aug. 5, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge has announced.
The state restored $3.5 million soil conservation funds plus $4.7 million in water quality funds after announcing on July 12 that the funds would be withheld.
"This is certainly good news for soil conservation and water quality efforts in our state," said Judge.
The Iowa Farm Bureau worked aggressively to remove the cloud hanging over the environment when it was announced on July 12 that the soil conservation money would be withheld because it may be needed to cover a $38.7 million shortfall in this year's budget. The shortfall developed following an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that the State of Iowa could not impose a higher state tax on race tracks than on riverboat casinos. Land casinos pay a 32 percent rate while riverboats pay 20 percent. Last week, the court refused to reconsider its ruling.
Farm Bureau contacted Judge, as well as staff in the Iowa Department of Management, to resolve the issue.
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