01/27/06 Lawmakers recognized at Oly Potato Days

01/27/06 Lawmakers recognized at Oly Potato Days

Farm and Ranch January 27, 2006 Representatives of the Washington State Potato Commission celebrated the annual Potato Day during a visit to Olympia earlier this week. An annual awards dinner was held to recognize members of both caucuses in the State Senate and House for outstanding leadership on significant agricultural issues. Those recognized were Senators Mark Schoesler of Ritzville, and Paul Shin of Snohomish County, and Representatives Bill Hinkle of Cle Elum and Kelli Linville of Bellingham. Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Potato Commission, says they also worked on several issues while in Olympia like the water relinquishment bill sponsored by Senator Schoesler. Voigt: "What this will do will help the folks out in Odessa where they could retire wells to try and preserve the aquifer but not be penalized and still have the right to go back and use that water in the future." Although there is no legislation on it yet Voigt says the Commission is also following developments of the Columbia River Task Force. Commission representatives also worked on sales tax exemptions for farm equipment and farm diesel. Of course the Commission served up baked potatoes for Olympia Potato Day, nearly two-thousand of them for legislators, staffers and visitors. Voigt: "We had lines up and down the steps in the Rotunda, people getting them. It is a pretty popular event. We are happy to showcase our potatoes there and to remind our leaders in Olympia that Washington is one of the leading producers of potatoes in this country and it is important to the economy of our state." That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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