Checkoff won't go to ease budget

LINCOLN - Money paid by agricultural producers for marketing and research won't be tapped to help the state close its $334 million budget gap.

Appropriations Committee members voted without dissent this morning to leave the commodity checkoff funds untouched.

The vote affects corn, wheat, grain sorghum, and dry bean checkoff funds, as well as marketing funds for poultry and eggs, potatoes and grapes.

The committee also voted to spare brand-inspection funds.

Gov. Dave Heineman's proposal to transfer money from the checkoff funds to the state's general fund to help balance the budget was met with a howl of protest from farm groups.

The groups argued the proposal would turn voluntary payments into a new type of state tax.

-- Martha Stoddard

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