"Arizona farmers are angry and considering legal action against their state government for pilfering grower-paid assessment dollars that support research and promotional efforts to balance the state budget.
The Arizona legislature this spring took more than $550,000 in agricultural funds to help offset a $1.2 billion budget shortfall. Included in that total was $161,400 debited from three agricultural councils funded by grower assessments for commodity research and other programs.
The three counts of larceny include $80,000 from the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council (AGRPC), $41,400 from the Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council, and $40,000 from the Arizona Citrus Research Council. The councils operate under the auspices of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) which collects and banks funds from growers to support the work of the three councils.
“This is not taxpayer money,” said David Sharp, AGRPC chairman and a Roll, Ariz. wheat grower. “This is money raised by farmers. Farmers have entrusted the money to council leaders to fund research and promotion. The state of Arizona is to hold the dollars but not spend them.”"
Monday, June 9, 2008
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