Ag official says budget will be focus of legislators

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Some longstanding agricultural issues likely will resurface when the state Legislature convenes for a short, 60-day session in January.

But much of the session is likely to focus on the significant budget shortfall, according to Bob Gore, deputy director of the state Department of Agriculture.

Gore spoke Wednesday at the 2009 Washington State Weed Conference at the Yakima Convention Center.

It appears lawmakers will need to cut another $1.7 billion, he said.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a $35 billion two-year budget in May that was supposed to eliminate a $9 billion gap.

"The session will be about how to balance the budget," Gore said.

Gore told the conference, which is expected to draw about 500 people during its three days here, that agriculture groups anticipate efforts will be made on land-use issues, right-to-farm issues and water rights, particularly the use-it-or- lose-it provision in water law.

The provision is known as relinquishment. State law requires any water right not used for five consecutive years to be deemed as abandoned.

But even with all the focus on money woes, the industry is entering the session with a new roadmap to follow.

An 18-month effort involving thousands of people resulted early this year in a new strategic plan for agriculture over the next 20 years, Gore said.

The report, called "Future of Farming," made a series of broad recommendations to help agriculture remain a strong component of the state's economy.

The recommendations call for the state to make agriculture a priority; eliminate regulatory barriers; protect resources of land, water, labor, energy, and access to credit; better support the industry with more education, technology, transportation, marketing services and communication; and emerging opportunities, including organic production and food safety.