Agriculture and Rural Issues

I believe one of the critical issues in Pennsylvania agriculture is the possibility of small and medium farmers being left behind by the nation's farm bill.

Pennsylvania is home to thousands of small farms and dairies, yet our state ranks 31st in federal farm aid. Small and medium farmers often produce the highest quality farm goods and their efforts should be encouraged by the federal government. It would be a shame if the very farmers who produce the best agricultural goods were driven from their communities and livelihoods.

Far too many rural Americans are also suffering from lack of access to adequate healthcare. Increasingly the cost of healthcare is placing nearly intolerable financial burdens on our nation and access to healthcare is especially difficult for rural members of the community. We must enact a system of universal coverage that is cost effective, puts the consumer in control, and includes both preventative care and long-term care. Medicare has been a major part of rural healthcare since its inception and we must work to create a better prescription drug plan than is currently offered under Medicare. These difficulties must be met, for all Americans deserve top-notch healthcare.

Investments must also be made to assure rural areas have the infrastructure they need. We must fund projects to bring technologies such as broadband internet into widespread use in rural areas. These technological advances will give the residents of rural areas the communication services they need as well as open up opportunites to improve rural healthcare and education through telemedicine and long-distance learning.

For four years I lived in Houston, ground zero for illegal immigration, and learned that it was a problem that no one was willing to address. As a result, during the years of the Bush Administration, illegal immigration increased by 40%. I do not support allowing illegal workers in our nation, but I recognize the need for migrant and seasonal workers on America's farms. I support allowing seasonal workers to legally enter our country to do the work that is vital to our country, but not done by our current citizens. We need a better migrant worker system that gives farmers the resources they need to work their land while not being forced to do so outside the bounds of the law.

While farmers knowingly hiring illegal immigrants cannot be allowed, farmer who unknowingly hired illegal workers presenting themselves as legal must be offered adequate protection. More importantly, farmers should never be driven to hire illegal workers. Legal immigrant workers in adequate quantities to fulfill our farming needs must be made available. Unnecessary barriers to entry must be altered and a steady supply of workers must be furnished.