Neil's Notebook Neil opposes proposed layoffs in state Agriculture Department
September 3, 2009
The Hawaii State Senate is holding an emergency hearing to discuss proposed layoffs in the state Department of Agriculture. The hearing is scheduled to be held on Maui this afternoon. Neil is submitting the following written testimony:
Senate Ad Hoc Committee Senator Russell Kokobun, Chair Senator Shan Tsutsui Testimony on Dept. of Agriculture proposed employee lay-offs U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie Member of Congress September 3, 2009
Thank you, Senators, for holding this emergency hearing to receive testimony on the proposed employee lay-offs at the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture. I understand the budget pressures caused by our state’s current economic situation. However, the prospect of losing 118 Department of Agriculture employees, half the total staff, is very troubling. Dismantling the Hawaii Department of Agriculture seriously hinders the department’s ability to meet its two paramount responsibilities: protecting Hawaii from invasive species and promoting and facilitating the flow of agricultural imports and exports.
We’ve made dramatic progress in improving the inspection infrastructure through the creation of state-federal agriculture inspection stations on Maui and Oahu. We must continue to build upon this federal-state partnership rather than scale it back. These state employees are our frontline defense for Hawaii’s natural environment. These are the people who stand between our farmers and an infestation of Brown Tree Snakes or Red Fire Ants. These are the people who have prevented the wider spread of pests, blights and even diseases.
I’ve listened to farmers across our state. They believe we can grow our own food and export crops and agricultural products. And I believe in them. But we all have to realize that agriculture is crucial for our economy, our environment, our culture and our communities. Farmers need more, not less, focus and support.
We have to resolve land and water issues. We need to do a better job promoting better local products. We need to build our agricultural infrastructure, and make sure young people can learn modern farming techniques and the business skills they need to succeed. And we all need to understand that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has a critical role in our future.
These are challenging times for the state, but challenging times demand wise leadership. Dismantling the Department of Agriculture would cripple our economy and put our environment at risk. When farmers prune back their trees and crops, they take great care not to cut too deep or nothing will grow back.
I urge the Governor to reconsider her proposed layoffs. If we work together, we can find a better alternative.
