Freeway and the farm bill

Big Apple posts this proposed legislation that would prohibit collection of tolls on highways built with federal funds. A philosophical and practical discussion of the merits of the argument against toll is found in the thread.

Other new discussion board topics:
Overtaken by events Luis posts this link about how changes to the farm economy and high commodity prices have changed the analysis of subsidies by think tanks.


If farm bill stalls, California may be hurt Luis posts this link from The Sacramento Bee. From the story:
California fruit and vegetable growers might see a big- bucks victory temporarily slip away if Congress stumbles over a farm bill this year.
The House did its part, passing legislation in late July that dedicates record funding to specialty crops. The Senate, though, remains stalled, and repeated postponements raise questions about the bill's future.
"The Senate presents huge obstacles," Dan Haley, a lobbyist for California fruit and vegetable growers, cautioned Friday. "I try to remain an eternal optimist, but right now it's not looking good."
That's because the Capitol Hill calendar is tight and key questions are unresolved. The temporary solution now looming -- to extend current farm policies for another year -- would allow lawmakers to sort out problems later. Unfortunately for California farmers, an extension also would freeze in place policies that shortchange the fruit and vegetable industry.

TK: Robert Guenther of United told me he is still hopeful that the farm bill will get done this year, but the legislative calendar is getting squeezed. It seems the Senate leadership has to push Harkin to get something out of committee as quickly as possible or else the industry will suffer a setback.