Nbadan
06-11-2007, 11:59 PM
New Light Shed on Farm Subsidy Payments
By SAM HANANEL and MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- From Texas billionaires to Washington lobbyists, it's no secret that wealthy people can get federal farm subsidies.
But now, for the first time, new Agriculture Department data makes it easier to see exactly who benefits from the nation's generous farm subsidy program.
Instead of having to sift through a complex web of corporations, partnerships and other business entities, the USDA has assigned a specific dollar amount to the individuals behind the businesses.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said the new data could affect farm bill negotiations this year as lawmakers consider reducing direct payments to farmers.
"It's going to be harder than ever before to defend the status quo," he said. "I think the defenders of big payments, their position is going to be severely weakened."
AP (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FARM_SUBSIDIES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-06-11-14-19-25)
Here's there current database: Linky (http://www.ewg.org/farm)
Lots of millionaires, and billionaires, but no farmers. Type in your zip.
By SAM HANANEL and MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- From Texas billionaires to Washington lobbyists, it's no secret that wealthy people can get federal farm subsidies.
But now, for the first time, new Agriculture Department data makes it easier to see exactly who benefits from the nation's generous farm subsidy program.
Instead of having to sift through a complex web of corporations, partnerships and other business entities, the USDA has assigned a specific dollar amount to the individuals behind the businesses.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said the new data could affect farm bill negotiations this year as lawmakers consider reducing direct payments to farmers.
"It's going to be harder than ever before to defend the status quo," he said. "I think the defenders of big payments, their position is going to be severely weakened."
AP (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FARM_SUBSIDIES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-06-11-14-19-25)
Here's there current database: Linky (http://www.ewg.org/farm)
Lots of millionaires, and billionaires, but no farmers. Type in your zip.