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October 12, 2012   
Inside This Issue.....
Law Requiring Agreements for Commissioned Employees Goes Takes Effect January 1
Replacement Tractors Funds Available
Romney Iowa Speech Yields Farm Bill, Rural Challenge; Obama Shoots Back
USDA Holds First Drought Workshop
Senate "Gang of Eight" in Quiet, Intense Meetings to Avoid Fiscal Cliff
EPA Sets October 22 Rural, Ag Committee Teleconference
Organic Seed Finder Website.
Senate Select Committee to Hold Hearing On Delta Sustainability
Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing on the Future of Fairs
INCOTEC hosts California Congressman Sam Farr
2012 California Ballot Propositions
Upcoming Meetings
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Law Requiring Agreements for Commissioned Employees Goes Takes Effect January 1

By January 1, 2013, California employers must put all commission agreements in writing.  

 

To help explain the requirement, the California Chamber of Commerce has created a white paper, "Don't Forget Commission Agreements Deadline."

 

Although the new law appears simple and straightforward, a number of potential pitfalls within the law could result in wage-and-hour claims filed against employers, the CalChamber warns.

According to the law, by January 1, 2013, any employee hired to perform work for commissions in California must receive a written contract that includes the method for calculating and paying the commissions.

 

The mandate was put in place by AB 1396, enacted in 2011. The requirement applies to employers located inside and outside California.

AB 1396 amended Labor Code Section 2751, which previously applied only to employers with no fixed California location.

 

The white paper covers the following critical information:

  • What Is a "Commission?"
  • Recordkeeping and Procedures for Compliance
  • Employer Pitfalls
  • Best Practices

Click here for copy of white paper

 

 

Replacement Tractors Funds Available

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will begin accepting applications at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 15 for funding requests for the replacement of older in-use, off-road tractors that are used in agricultural operations. Once approved, growers are able to access incentive funds to assist them in replacing older higher-emissions tractors with one that is newer and emits fewer emissions. The amount of funding offered is based upon dollars per horsepower.

 

Click here to view a flyer describing the program. Here is a link to view and download the application which may be submitted beginning Oct. 15. For additional information and/or questions, contact the District at (559) 230-5800 or [email protected].

 

Romney Iowa Speech Yields Farm Bill, Rural Challenge; Obama Shoots Back

Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney - keenly aware House and Senate GOP candidates are taking campaign heat for the lack of new 2012 Farm Bill - this week took his message to Van Meter, Iowa, using the rural setting and his audience of about 1,200 to blame President Obama for his administration's failure to "lead Congress" on passage of a five-year 2012 Farm Bill. In addition, the Romney campaign released a 16-page white paper that keyed on reducing taxes on farmers and ranchers, expanding access to trade, regulatory reform and North American energy independence by 2020. "The big difference between the president and me, he has no plan for rural America, no plan for agriculture, no plan for getting America back to work," Romney said.  

 

The Obama campaign criticized Romney for telling farmers "a series of falsehoods," failing to mention the House Farm Bill hasn't been acted upon because House GOP leaders have refused to give the bill floor time, and slamming his white paper for its lack of details. Several Democrat House members, including agriculture committee ranking member Rep. Collin Peterson (D, MN) - who called Romney's remarks "unfair and it shows a complete lack of understanding of what's going on" - acted as surrogates for the president in rebutting Romney, and National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson slammed the GOP-controlled House for failing to act on the ag committee-approved Farm Bill, and promoting a bill more in line "with the draconian principles outlined in GOP Vice Presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan's budget." The Romney white paper can be found at 

 

USDA Holds First Drought Workshop, More to Follow

USDA this week held its first drought workshop in Omaha, Nebraska, and has scheduled three more. "The purpose of these workshops will be for us to listen to producers and communities regarding the intermediate and long-term challenges created by the current drought," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, saying USDA needs a "partnership" with local communities, states, tribes and federal government. At the Omaha meeting, USDA, along with the federal Small Business Administration and the National Credit Union Administration, outlined individual agency and department efforts to provide drought relief, as well as interagency efforts. The remaining workshops will be held in Pueblo, Colorado; Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Archbold, Ohio.


 

Senate "Gang of Eight" in Quiet, Intense Meetings to Avoid Fiscal Cliff

What used to be the Gang of Six is now the Gang of Eight bipartisan Senators who have been meeting quietly on a weekly basis in hopes of finding a legislative solution to expiring tax cuts and mandatory federal budget reductions, collectively known as the "fiscal cliff" looming January 1, 2013. At issue during three days of meetings this week are about $4 trillion over the next 10 years in expiring personal and corporate tax rate reductions - the "Bush tax cuts" - and sequestration, a mandatory across-the-board 3% cut in federal spending mandated in last year's debt ceiling/deficit reduction agreement.  

 

The eight Senators plan to have what's being referred to as a "grand bargain" framework to offer colleagues when they return for the November lame duck session, but no announcement is expected before the election because control of the House and Senate will have obvious impact on what's included in any deal. The eight are focusing on a plan worked out by the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility & Reform, headed by former Sen. Alan Simpson (R, WY) and former Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles, a proposal that pushes a combination of tax cuts, federal revenue increases and entitlement program rewrites as the only logical way an effective deficit reduction plan can work. Over the next couple of weeks, the eight Senators are expected to begin expanding their work group, as well as including key House members in the discussion. The eight Senators are Sen. Mark Warner (D, VA), Sen. Richard Durbin (D, IL), Sen. Tom Coburn (R, OK), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R, GA), Sen. Mike Crapo (R, ID), Sen. Kent Conrad (D, ND), Sen. Mike Bennet (D, CO) and Sen. Mike Johanns (R, NE).


EPA Sets October 22 Rural, Ag Committee Teleconference

 

EPA's Farm, Ranch & Rural Community Committee - an advisory panel designed to ensure EPA understands the impact of its rulemakings on rural America and food producers - will hold a teleconference on October 22 from noon to 2 p.m. EDT. The agency said the teleconference is needed "to discuss specific topics of relevance for consideration by the committee in order to provide advice and insights to the agency on environmental policies and programs that affect and engage rural communities." The Agricultural Retailers Assn. (ARA) said listening in on the committees meeting will allow comments to be brought forward on a variety of issues, including NPDES/Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting; Army Corps of Engineers/EPA CWA authority expansion; greenhouse gas regulations; Florida nutrient criteria, and drift reduction issues. For more information on how to participate, contact Alicia Kaiser at  [email protected].


Organic Seed Finder Website

The new Organic Seed Finder website launched this week. Organic Seed Finder allows vendors of organic seed to post available varieties in a central, on-line location where potential buyers can search for the varieties they need. 

 

To become a vendor on Organic Seed Finder or to learn more, please contact the Associate of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) at [email protected]  or by calling (309) 736-0120.

 

Senate Select Committee to Hold Hearing On Delta Sustainability

 

Senator Wolk (Davis) is holding a Senate Select Committee on Delta Stewardship and Sustainability Hearing on Monday, October 15th.  The focus of the hearing is to identify near term projects beneficial to all Delta stakeholders. An informal working group has been tasked with identifying and implementing near term actions that will benefit the Delta and fisheries habitat.  A healthier Delta helps everyone, from water exporters to fisheries, recreation and municipalities.  The first panel at the hearing will discuss and identify projects. The second panel will include the Legislative Analyst to discuss funding options and funding mechanisms.  Finally, the local and state interests will address their actions and needs. 


Senate Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing on the Future of Fairs
 

Senator Cannella (Ceres) hosted a hearing at the Big Fresno Fair discussing the future of California fairs. Representatives attending were from the fair industry, including racing fairs agricultural interests and fair board members. Senator Berryhill and Senator Cannella are working on developing legislation that will reduce the bureaucratic impediments to fair operations. Their goal is to have fairs operate in a more competitive manner to attract sponsorships, support and public private partnerships.

 

INCOTEC hosts California Congressman Sam Farr

INCOTEC, Integrated Coatings and Seed Technology, Inc., hosted Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) and District Aid Alec Arago at their facilities in Salinas, Calif.

 

Congressman Farr met with management, toured the facilities and enjoyed a barbeque with employees. During the visit, the group outlined key issues affecting America's agriculture industry.  "It's a great opportunity to have this visit by our honorable Congressman as we address the challenges of agriculture today and into the future," said David Pickenpaugh, INCOTEC president and general manager.  

 

Congressman Farr has served California's 17th Congressional District since 1993. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is the top Democrat and the only California member serving on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.

 

"These types of efforts make our job easier when an issue comes up," said Pat Miller, ASTA director of state affairs. "It serves as an introduction and a face to the seed industry so when an issue arises we are not starting from the beginning."


2012 California Ballot Propositions - Remember to Vote
 

Below is a link for the Proposition Voter Guide outlining the California Farm Bureau Federation, the Western Growers Association and the California Chamber of Commerce's positions on the statewide ballot measures that will be before California voters in the November 6 general election.     

 

Proposition Voter Guide 

 

 

Upcoming Meetings