Austin Scott meets with area farmers

February 23, 2011 Angie Thompson

TIFTON — U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., the new 8th District congressman from Tifton, met with local farmers over breakfast Tuesday morning at Tifton’s Shoney’s restaurant. He said he wanted to gather input from farmers that he could use during the federal budget-making process.

Scott, who was sworn into office Jan. 5, was appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture.

He met with approximately 15 farmers in a private session at the restaurant Tuesday morning.

“Cuts to agriculture have a direct impact on our economy in this area,” Scott said. “I wanted to make sure that when we make adjustments in the budget for agriculture, we get input from farmers and put the money where it is needed the most.”

Scott said prices for commodities produced in this district are good at the moment, but that safety nets to help farmers in the event of extreme volatility in the market versus direct payments to farmers have to be considered. He said issues with immigration were also on the minds of farmers.

“We have to find a way that maintains the integrity of U.S. laws and allows migrant workers to come during the season and go home after the crop,” Scott said.

Scott said the House Committee on Agriculture is meeting soon with the Environmental Protection Agency to “discuss the damage the agency is putting on the industry and regulatory uncertainty of the agency.” He said farmers are constantly facing issues beyond their control with EPA regulations. He said one day a chemical farmers use on a particular crop is approved and the next day it’s not.

“The EPA is pushing for regulation of dust,” Scott said. “That’s probably the most ridiculous regulation I’ve ever heard of.”

When asked why positions in the agricultural industry could not be filled by the currently unemployed, Scott responded that “It’s obvious we have a segment of the population that, quite honestly, doesn’t want to work. That segment doesn’t have the right to drag down the rest of the country.”

Scott said Congress will begin working on the 2012 farm bill later this year.

Cuts to government-provided social services are also a concern. Scott said Congress is weighing where the cuts will be made.

“We are resisting across-the-board cuts,” Scott said. “Certain agencies have grown at a fast pace and others haven’t grown at all. One of the things I hope we push for is more flexibility in the states’ administration of programs.”

States are currently prohibited from performing drug tests on people who receive food stamps. Scott said he would like to see that prohibition removed.

Cutting through red tape is one of the most difficult aspects of his job, Scott said.

“The bureaucracy in D.C. is so large that it is dysfunctional,” Scott said. “Giving more responsibility and control to the states is a way we can make the decisions closer to home. What’s best for one state is not necessarily best for another.”

Getting Americans back to work is the only way to address the country’s $100 billion per month shortfall, Scott said, and deep cuts have to be made to reduce the nation’s $1.2 trillion deficit.

“When you look at the rules and regulations, it is more difficult for some business owners to borrow money than it has been in any recent past,” Scott said. “You can’t create jobs without capital. The regulatory uncertainty creates reluctance to borrow money to create a product.”

The regulatory burden placed on businesses is also discouraging to economic development and job creation, Scott said.

Scott said he is pleased that the House immediately banned earmarks and reduced the budget to run the offices of federal elected officials by 5 percent.

“We are trying to lead by example in those areas,” Scott said. “We have to have agency heads willing to lead by example, but unfortunately, finding agency heads willing to work toward reductions has been difficult.”

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.

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