The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“FARM EMPLOYMENT EQUITY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1303-E1304 on June 17, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
FARM EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
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HON. BOB SCHAFFER
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 16, 1999
Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, recently I, along with a bipartisan list of cosponsors, introduced H.R. 1874, the Farm Employment Equity Act, also referenced as the ``Unemployment Tax Act.'' The proposal reduces the unemployment tax burden on smaller American agricultural operations--the kind typically know as family farms.
Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to report today, the Colorado General Assembly has endorsed my proposal by the passage of Colorado House Joint Resolution 99-1053 sponsored by State Representative Brad Young, and State Senator Mark Hillman. Colorado's concern for small agriculture producers is now a matter of official public policy, and I commend the leadership of Representative Young and Senator Hillman. Mr. Speaker, this Congress should fully consider and embrace the recommendation of the Colorado General Assembly on this important matter of farm tax relief. Accordingly, I hereby submit for the Record, Colorado's official position put by House Joint Resolution 99-1053.
Whereas, Employers who pay cash wages of $20,000 or more to farm workers in any calendar quarter or employ 10 or more employees at least part time during at least 20 different weeks in a calendar year are required to pay federal unemployment taxes in accordance with the federal
``Unemployment Tax Act'', and
Whereas, The $20,000 threshold has not been adjusted since 1978 when federal unemployment tax liability was first imposed upon farm and ranch employees, and the average size of farms and ranches continues to increase as the number of farms and ranches decreases; and
Whereas, While farm production and efficiency have increased, rising costs, imports, and falling commodity prices all threaten the economic security of the nation's family farmers; and
Whereas, Given the crisis situation in American agriculture, America's family farmers need tax relief to maintain their operations and their families; and
Whereas, Unless America's farm families obtain needed tax relief, these farmers may be forced to sell their land, opening the door for development and threatening the well-being of local economies dependent upon small farms; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-second General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein: That we, the members of the Sixty-second General Assembly, request the Congress of the United States to pass legislation to amend the federal ``Unemployment Tax Act'' to increase the maximum amount of wages that a farmer can pay for agricultural labor without being subject to the federal unemployment tax on such labor, to reflect the effects of inflation on such maximum amount of wages since such tax was first enacted, and to provide for an annual inflation adjustment in such maximum amount of wages; be it further
Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor, and to each member of Colorado's delegation to the United States Congress.
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