Canadian farmers to get help by the end of December
MONTPELIER — Vermont dairy farmers could receive $2.2 million in emergency aid by the end of December, government officials have said.
1 December 2006
1 minute read
The money will be the last installment of $8.6 million set aside last summer by Gov. James Douglas and lawmakers to help farmers trying to recover from a wet spring, high fuel prices and low milk prices.
"The intent was to get the money out the door by the end of December," said House Agriculture Chairman David Zuckerman, P-Burlington. "Farmers are still deeply in the hole."
But the original formula would have meant the money wouldn't have been completely distributed until well into 2007.
So Zuckerman and Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Sara Kittell, D-Franklin, asked the Douglas administration to change the aid formula.
The administration agreed. But before checks can be sent, the change must be approved by the Emergency Board, which approves expenditures when the Legislature is not in session. A meeting is scheduled for next week.
Source: Times Argus
