Bush’s budget cuts ARS funding

Sidney Herald

The USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in Sidney could suffer a major hit if President Bush’s 2007 proposed budget is approved.

Tom Shanower, research entomologist at the Sidney ARS facility, said the laboratory would suffer $1.7 million in cuts if Bush’s budget is approved. The budget for the Sidney facility is about $5 million.

“That would be the equivalent of 8-10 staff members here,” Shanower said.

Nationally, Shanower said USDA Agricultural Research Services would be forced to close 21 units - 20 percent of its stations - if the proposed budget is passed.

“Sidney was on the closing list in the 1980s and early 1990s, so the good news is we’re not on the list this time,” Shanower said.

Staff members at the Sidney facility attended a meeting Monday to hear about the possible reductions in force if the budget is approved. Cuts would include a technician and several scientists for the new quarantine/greenhouse facility.

Although other proposed presidential budgets involved major cuts in the ARS program, Shanower said national ARS officials believe Bush’s proposed budget has more support than past budgets.

“It’s very early in the process, and we don’t know how it will turn out,” Shanower said.

Congress will consider appropriations bills this spring. Debate on agriculture funding is expected to take place in March.

Sidney Mayor Bret Smelser stresses that the USDA-ARS plays an important role in Sidney’s community.

The mayor wrote the following letter to Sen. Baucus, Sen. Burns and Rep. Rehberg: “I am writing this letter in response to the president’s proposed budget concerning the USDA research center in Sidney. The budget would cut $1.75 million out of their $5.5 million budget.

“This would mean the loss of 11 jobs including the loss of four scientists. The city of Sidney supports this facility 100 percent, and the loss of that many well paid jobs would be devastating to our community. But more importantly, it would roll back the invaluable research which goes on at the facility.”

Smelser urges residents to write to the following Montana representatives:

Sen. Max Baucus - Washington, D.C. Office 511 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510