Repubs criticize Lohr’s Ag Tourism bill
Brent Finnegan -- January 2nd, 2008
Although General Assembly is not yet in session, one of Delegate Matt Lohr‘s bills has already being scrutinized by members of his own party.
Lohr’s bill requests $80,000 for the creation of a state Ag Tourism Director position. Since announcing his bill, some Republicans have spoken out against it, stating that the Ag Tourism Director position is unnecessary, and an example of wasteful government spending.
This criticism was the buzz of the blogosphere today. According to NLS, Rockingham County conservative donor, Walter Curt called Lohr’s proposal “feel good nonsense,” and told Lohr to form an association and pay for the position himself.
Brandon Bell, the Republican Senator from Salem City commented, “this is not the road we need to go down. The key to having effective government is not creating new spending programs or positions.”
The 2008 regular session will convene on Wednesday, January 9.
I wouldn’t call it wasteful government spending…..I would say it is not very high on the spending priority list.
The bill will be killed quickly…..
Oh, Walter is just teaching Matt about Conservative economics. When Walter says “limited government” he’s talking about $80,000/year of Virginia taxpayer money going to the agriculture industry. He’s not talking about the $80 Million in Federal taxpayer money going to his former company. It depends on who’s government you’re trying to “limit”.
Walter Kurt has a lot of gumption complaining about government programs after first getting fat at the government trough.
anybody else think mr. lohr looks kind of like a manchild?
I agree, how ironic is it that Mr. Kurt is complaining about useless government programs and spending…I’m not saying that what he does isn’t important or essential..but come on, a person who has made a fortune from federal tax dollars/contracts being critical of a state position promoting ag tourism?
Maybe it’s a stretch (state ag tourism director) but I do think it is worth a look..Matt appears to have done some homework in regard to this issue..I’m all ears…
Mr. Lohr is very exerienced with Ag Tourism. I have been to his pumpkin patch two years in a row and it has been a lot of fun for my family. Ag tourism is a way for valley farmers to earn a little bit more off of their properties, and hopefully avoid having to sell their land for development. If we are truly interested in local food this might be one more way that we can continue to provide it.
The DNR ran this story about the bill today.
“Lohr said the position is an investment in Virginia’s economy, one that’s been proven to work in Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky.”