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by Lynn Snyder

When the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) asked members to take action on two political issues in August, making contact with their legislators was a click away.

During the August recess, AFBF called for members to contact their members of Congress regarding energy policy and agricultural appropriations. Some members chose to respond via CapWiz, an internet-based communication system available through www.ofbf.org. CapWiz allows members to communicate directly with their elected officials at the local, state and national levels. The service helps members monitor key legislation and then provides a quick and simple method to contact their representatives instantly. Members have the choice to write their own message, or use a generic message or a combination of the two.

Deering Dyer, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation director of political education, said CapWiz allows the Government Affairs staff to send out action alerts via e-mail that request members send a message to their member of Congress or the General Assembly. Government affairs staff also can monitor contacts both in content and in number so maximum effectiveness can be determined.

Energy policy is a top priority for Farm Bureau when Congress returns this month. According to Keith Stimpert, Ohio Farm Bureau vice president of government affairs, both the House and Senate have managed to pass energy bills, but differences remain to be resolved in conference committee. The Renewable Fuels Standard has most of Farm Bureau’s attention. Both pieces of legislation include a Renewable Fuels Standard provision, but the timetables are different. The House version calls for 5 billion gallons of usage renewable fuels by 2015, while the Senate calls for 5 billion by 2012.

OFBF is interested in seeing a tax package developed in the Senate by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, included in the final bill, Stimpert said. This amendment could help bring more highway funding to Ohio by altering the way the excise tax differential on ethanol is funded.

Farm Bureau will be seeking full funding of farm programs as the agriculture appropriations bill completes its journey through the Senate and moves to conference, Stimpert said. The House measure includes several funding changes to the original plan. Funding for the Conservation Security Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, energy programs, farmland preservation and other items were either eliminated or reduced to some degree. While the Senate bill faces floor debate this month, it does not include program funding cuts. However, program payment limits might be debated.

Dyer encourages members to monitor CapWiz for up-to-date legislative updates and action alerts. He said the members who used CapWiz at Leadership Conference found it easy to use.

"Members can look at the bills being tracked, and if there’s something they want to comment on, they can do it anytime," Dyer said. Currently there is an alert concerning tort reform. To be added to the action alert list, contact your organization director, or sign up via the OFBF Web site, www.ofbf.org