Hello,

It’s been a busy few weeks here in Kansas and Washington, and I wanted to give you an update on what I’ve been working on recently and what it means for Kansans:

Act Now on Trade Agreements

Presidential inaction on free trade agreements with Korea, Panama and Columbia is hurting the economy and thousands of Kansas jobs. I spoke on the Senate floor recently to urge President Obama to let us vote. The administration’s prolonged delay is causing U.S. businesses and producers to lose out. Other countries are not waiting for the U.S. to get into the game. It is not without consequences. For the folks on the farm, export markets are critical to their bottom line.

The various trade agreements have been on the president’s desk since he took office in January 2009. You can click here to view my full comments on the Senate floor.

Obama Plan Takes Aim at Kansas Jobs

The president’s so-called “jobs plan” is a bust for Kansas. It would hike taxes on general aviation and independent oil and gas producers, both critical components of the Kansas economy, which could actually cost Kansas jobs and could threaten the state’s economy.

We need to repeal costly and burdensome regulations and reduce taxes to allow small businesses to create jobs. General Aviation is a significant part of the Kansas economy employing more than 16,000 and contributing $7 billion to the Kansas economy. Furthermore, Kansas independent oil and gas producers make up the state’s second largest industry, employing nearly 68,000 people in production and related services. In rural Kansas, where oil and gas are found, the industry represents a quarter of the jobs and nearly 70 percent of the local property tax. I will continue to oppose this plan and fight for Kansas jobs.

President’s Debt Plan and Agriculture Impact

Agriculture takes a big hit in the President’s plan too. Representative Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and I are on the same page with what this means for farmers and ranchers. Like we’ve said all along, the agriculture community remains willing to do its part in getting our fiscal house in order, as long as the cuts are proportionate.

In essence, President Obama’s plan for economic growth and deficit reduction is not credible. His policy priorities reveal a lack of knowledge of production agriculture and fail to recognize how wholesale changes to farm policy would impact the people who feed us. For example, cutting $8 billion from the crop insurance program puts the entire program at risk. We have heard again and again from producers that crop insurance is the best risk management tool available. In jeopardizing this program, the President turns a deaf ear to America’s farmers.

Ultimately, cuts to agriculture must reflect its diversity across the country, respect the challenges producers face, and preserve the tools necessary for food production.

Ag issues at the State Fair

It was great to see so many Kansans at the state fair in Hutch. I had the privilege of meeting with the Kansas Farm Bureau while I was there, as well as join my colleagues Senator Jerry Moran and Congressman Tim Huelskamp and Governor Sam Brownback for WIBW’s annual ag forum before spending time in my booth. I want to thank everyone for stopping by and saying hello. It’s always a pleasure to hear what’s on your minds.

Kickin’ Up Dust

I’m working hard to continue my efforts to repeal burdensome, costly and ridiculous regulations. Recently, I signed on as a co-sponsor to a bill that prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating farm dust…yes, the EPA wants to regulate everything, including DUST.

This is one of those potential regulations that makes you scratch your head, because it defies common sense. Whether it is cattle kicking up dust in a feedlot in Larned, Kansas or wheat being harvested on a hot afternoon on the High Plains in June, dust is a naturally-occurring event. It is critical to recognize that no one cares more about maintaining a clean environment than the American farmer and rancher, who know firsthand that clean air and water and healthy soil go hand-in-hand with a healthy economy. Our producers deserve respect and appreciation from the EPA, not costly and redundant regulation.

The bill, S. 1328, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, would stop the EPA from regulating dust in rural America by preventing it from imposing more stringent dust standards for one year while identifying scientific evidence of substantial adverse health effects of farm dust, as well as demonstrating the benefits of the regulation outweigh the economic costs to affected communities.

Wichita Business Tour

I visited the Case New-Holland plant in Wichita for a tour and to meet with workers there. They run a really efficient plant and I was impressed with the product they are producing, including agriculture, construction and military equipment. We chatted about the economy, regulations, and what can be done to minimize government interference. I am grateful they invited me to take a look at it all.

Check Senator Roberts’ Website, YouTube and Facebook Sites for Updates

You can visit my YouTube site for more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and Kansas by visiting www.youtube.com/SenPatRoberts. It's a great place to find speeches and debates on the Senate floor, press conferences, interviews and Senate hearings. You can also stay updated on all these happenings on my Facebook and Twitter sites.

If you wish to contact me about an issue or want more information, please visit my website, roberts.senate.gov.