LANSING (June 14, 2022) — Michigan Agri-Business President Chuck Lippstreu today issued the following statement on U.S. House approval of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act on last night’s strong bipartisan vote:
“U.S. House approval of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act is a critical step that will help clear the way for exports of Michigan agricultural products. Agricultural exports are a bright spot for Michigan’s economy, but our industry continues to face unprecedented delays and denied bookings on container ships that transport our products across the globe. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act will hold big ocean carrier companies accountable for their unfair practices. We appreciate lawmakers of both parties for coming together to send this common-sense legislation to President Biden’s desk.”
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Lansing (June 13, 2022) — Leaders of 34 farming, food and agribusiness organizations today called on state lawmakers to invest in a resilient agricultural economy in Michigan. In a letter to members of the Michigan House and Senate, agricultural leaders noted federal relief funds and a state General Fund surplus provide a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to strengthen and grow Michigan agriculture.
Click here to read the full letter.
“Your constituents and our Michigan communities statewide continue to face hardships caused by supply chain issues and empty grocery store shelves, with shortages and delays everywhere,” the leaders wrote. “The situation we are experiencing has been building for decades, and only further compounded by the pandemic. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to — together — make a transformational difference for Michigan consumers through support of advancements within the food and agriculture system.”
The leaders identified targeted investments across several priority areas including rural infrastructure; agricultural worker housing; worker certification; food security and distribution; protein processing and beyond.
The following organizations signed the letter to Michigan House and Senate leaders:
“Michigan farmers are some of the best in the world at feeding our families, protecting our environment, boosting our economy and creating good jobs,” said Carl Bednarski, President of the Michigan Farm Bureau. “We need to support and enhance their efforts, and those of critical partners like rural agricultural businesses, processors, food retailers and distributors who work together to help get healthy food to tables around the world.”
“Our agriculture industry continues to navigate a labor crisis and historic supply chain challenges,” said Chuck Lippstreu, President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “We are calling on lawmakers to seize this historic opportunity to invest in modern rural infrastructure, get skilled workers back on the job and position our Michigan agriculture industry for success. We simply can’t afford not to act.”
“Michigan agriculture is known for our innovation and our entrepreneurial spirit, but new investment is critically needed to maximize our success,” said Dave Armstrong, President and CEO of GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “As our state leaders allocate substantial new, one-time investments to spark economic opportunity across Michigan, our message is clear: Keep Michigan agriculture growing.”
The following is a news release issued by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05).
SAGINAW (June 2, 2022)—Congressman Dan Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, and U.S Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today toured Lake State Railway Company in Saginaw, Mich. to highlight the local impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“I am proud to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to mid-Michigan, where investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are creating good-paying jobs rebuilding roads, repairing bridges, replacing lead pipes and improving our railroads. These long-overdue investments are essential to solving supply chain issues and lowering costs for Michigan families. A stronger supply chain that moves Michigan-made goods more quickly will help local businesses succeed and ensure our state is competitive,” said Congressman Kildee. “I worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I will continue to work with Secretary Buttigieg to deliver federal resources to mid-Michigan.”
“I want to thank Congressman Kildee for his work. He has been a force in problem solving. I knew him by reputation when we were both in local government, so I am delighted to now be able to team up with him at the federal level to support American infrastructure. These investments will help us create thousands of good jobs, strengthen our national supply chains—fighting inflation and controlling costs for consumers and businesses—and give people better, faster, more affordable ways to get around,” said Secretary Buttigieg.
“Supply chain disruptions and worker shortages are taking a toll on Michigan agriculture, and we thank Congressman Kildee and Secretary Buttigieg for their attention to these challenges,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “As a champion for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congressman Kildee helped deliver historic investment to train essential workers and repair Michigan’s crumbling infrastructure, key steps toward addressing agricultural supply chain delays. We look forward to working with leaders in Congress and the Administration to clear jammed supply chains and keep Michigan-grown products moving to customers across the globe.”
Railroads such as Lake State Railway Company (LSRC) are a critical link in the supply chains that transport products to store shelves in Michigan and Michigan-made products to market. Before the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, decades of disinvestment resulted in crumbling infrastructure that increased shipping costs for businesses and made Michigan less competitive.
Link to full release
LANSING, Mich. (April 21, 2022) – Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu today issued the following statement regarding a decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to indefinitely extend its vaccination requirement for essential workers crossing the U.S.-Canada border:
“This decision is bad news for Michigan farmers and rural businesses facing historic supply chain disruption as we enter the critical spring planting season. The failure by DHS to provide common-sense exemptions to this policy for agricultural truck drivers flies in the face of reality on the ground here in Michigan, where our agriculture sector continues facing supply disruptions, increases in cross-border trucking costs and an ongoing driver shortage. We urge the administration to reconsider this decision, and we continue to call on the Canadian government to offer a common-sense exemption to its border vaccination requirement for employees facilitating trade between the U.S. and Canada.”
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