Some Good News for Our Tobacco Farmers!

Source from:  Danny Bubp State Rep. COLUMBUS 09/01/2005

How long has it been since our tobacco farmers have heard any good news? This week I received information from Ed Cruttenden, executive director, Ohio Tobacco Program for the Ohio Department of Agriculture that the North Carolina Supreme Court issued a ruling against the tobacco companies on Aug. 19, 2005. This is definitely good news for our tobacco farmers in the 88th District. Now that the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Phase II Trustee the tobacco companies have 20 days under North Carolina law to appeal the decision. If they do not appeal then the tobacco companies will be required to complete their 2004 payments to the trustee. The Phase II Trustee will then make a distribution to the tobacco farmers. Assuming that the tobacco companies do not appeal, the Department of Agriculture will add interest to the base amount owed for the year and re-compute the rates per pound for payment. The payment files will be adjusted to reflect new amounts for payment to quota owners and producers. All of this will take time as there are 14 states involved and the Trustee has responsibility to get the payments out to all tobacco producers in these states. Nonetheless, this is a huge victory for our tobacco farmers, their families and our communities! Rest assured that I and Senator Niehaus are on top of this and will be monitoring the status of any appeal. Further good news for tobacco farmers is that the Burley Co-op board of directors has voted to provide a small sum to be paid to Ohio tobacco farmers. The amount is just under $550,000 however, the Phase II Trustee cannot commingle these or any other funds with Phase II funds. So, a decision needs to be made concerning the method for distribution of these funds. With this in mind, the Ohio Tobacco advisory committee will be meeting to discuss and select a distribution plan and method for these funds. They will meet at the end of September and I will be attending this meeting. I will keep our tobacco farmers apprised of any decisions made by the committee. Somehow it seems appropriate that this recent good news comes as we celebrated another Ohio Tobacco Festival in Ripley. Despite the rain no one was complaining as we desperately needed the rain and another successful festival was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Greg Applegate, Lonnie Moran and a host of others who worked so hard on the committee to make our festival a success. Also, congratulations to Stephen Caraway at the Adams County Travelers & Visitors Bureau and to John Holden of the Adams County Chamber of Commerce for the grand opening of their joint office in West Union. Their combined efforts to bring visitors and jobs to Adams County is a terrific example of what can be achieved if we work together. Great job guys and best wishes to you and all of the board members for both organizations! And, don't forget to attend the Winchester Caramel Festival that is coming up Labor Day weekend in Winchester. If you would like to contact me about these issues or any other state matter, I can be reached by calling (614) 644-6034, e-mail at district88@ohr.state.oh.us or write to me, State Representative Danny Bubp at 77 S. High St., 11th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Enditem