Next Tuesday, March 15th, the House Tax Committee will consider
House Bill 2444, which lowers the state sales tax rate on food to 2.6%. More information on the bill and the latest conversation about the budget can be found in KHI’s latest news article
here.
Next Wednesday, March 16th, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will consider
Senate Bill 314, which extends the Local Food and Farm Task Force.
The extension will allow the task force to continue evaluating policy and funding recommendations for expanding and supporting local food systems and for assessing and overcoming obstacles in order to increase locally grown food production.
There are several things you and/or your organization can do:
Submit written or spoken testimony. Contact KRC at 866-579-5469 or info@kansasruralcenter.org to learn how.
Make a quick call to the Tax Committee Chairman, Rep. Marvin Kleeb (785 296-7690) or Ag and Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Rep. Sharon Schwartz (785 296-7637). It will be answered by a secretary, who keeps record of who calls during the day in support or opposition of bills in his committee. Just a quick call can make a big difference.
RSVP Today for Water, Energy, Land & Food Forum!
There is still time to RSVP and join KRC for a Water, Energy, Land, and Food Forum Thursday, March 17th at the Kansas State Capitol!
RSVP TODAY! 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Kansas State Capitol Building - 1st Floor Rotunda 300 SW 10th St., Topeka, KS 66612
Get up-to-date on current environmental advocacy
Visit the Solutions Showcase – learn about sponsor services, information, and more
Please RSVP by Monday, March 14, if you plan to join us for a local foods’ lunch: RSVP TODAY!
HB 2479, Kansas Noxious Weed Law Update
This week the Senate Natural Resources Committee met and discussed HB 2479 . New amendments were made to keep the authority to make an emergency declaration of noxious weeds with the Legislature. The Committee also added an organic farmer on to the advisory committee and sunsets the advisory committee after three years.
This work is part of KRC's "Community Food Solutions for a Healthier Kansas" initiative that aims to advance seven key public policy solutions to better incorporate Kansas farms into the supply chain thereby potentially improving Kansas's economy, community, environment, and health status. For more information about this initiative visit kansasruralcenter.org/cfs.
