Op-Ed

LANSING, Mich. -  — Today (3/18), following an oversight hearing on agriculture in the state House, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
 

“Republicans are continually trying to distract from their dangerous agenda that is hurting Michigan farmers. Whether it’s threatening the budget for the Department of Agriculture or ever changing tariffs that move the goal posts for the industry, Republicans from Lansing to DC are dead set on hanging our farmers out to dry. House Republicans should stop creating problems and start trying to solve them so that Michigan’s farmers, and our economy, can thrive.”
 

Michigan currently exports $2.7 billion in agricultural goods every year, and this chaotic tariff policy from Trump and his billionaire buddies threatens the livelihoods of countless farmers across Michigan. For just a sense of how the industry is feeling right now, check out some highlights below:
 

WNEM 5: Farmers union speaks on impact of potential new tariffs in April 

• Bob Thompson, president of the Michigan Farmers Union, said any new tariffs will have a negative impact on farmers.
• “We get a significant amount of potash that comes across the border from Canada. It is one of the principal fertilizer components that farmers need for a variety of crops, soybeans being a large user,” Thompson said…
• “Many farmers pre-buy a lot of material in the fall, in the very early spring, and try to get ahead of the game, if you will,” Thompson said.
• And even though Trump said he’ll wait until April 2 to impose new tariffs on external agricultural products from Canada and Mexico, Thompson said the uncertainty of what’s      ahead is unsettling to farmers.
• “Nervous, apprehensive, we’re not anymore in the know as far as what’s coming down the road as anybody.  And we’re concerned that it’s going to be a negative impact. Tariffs are a negative impact. So, we’ll just have to wait and see and take it one day at a time,” Thompson said.

Michigan Farm News: Tariffs are not ‘fun’ and farmers are frustrated, say ag leaders 

• “Farmers are frustrated. Tariffs are not something to take lightly and 'have fun' with,” Ragland      stated. “Not only do they hit our family businesses squarely in the wallet, but they rock a core tenet on which our trading relationships are built, and that is reliability.”
• Ragland was referencing a March 3 post by President Trump, promoting plans to implement reciprocal tariffs on the European Union in April where the president said, “Get ready to      start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun!”

Michigan Public Radio: Economist: Michigan to feel pain of tariffs earlier, and worse, than many other states 

• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring said farmers and rural communities should brace for economic difficulties. "We have to  expect tariffs will immediately threaten agriculture jobs, our rural economies and ultimately what it costs to put food on the table," Boring said in an emailed statement.
  

-Michigan Democratic Party

LANSING, Mich. -  — Today (3/18), following an oversight hearing on agriculture in the state House, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
 

“Republicans are continually trying to distract from their dangerous agenda that is hurting Michigan farmers. Whether it’s threatening the budget for the Department of Agriculture or ever changing tariffs that move the goal posts for the industry, Republicans from Lansing to DC are dead set on hanging our farmers out to dry. House Republicans should stop creating problems and start trying to solve them so that Michigan’s farmers, and our economy, can thrive.”
 

Michigan currently exports $2.7 billion in agricultural goods every year, and this chaotic tariff policy from Trump and his billionaire buddies threatens the livelihoods of countless farmers across Michigan. For just a sense of how the industry is feeling right now, check out some highlights below:
 

WNEM 5: Farmers union speaks on impact of potential new tariffs in April 

• Bob Thompson, president of the Michigan Farmers Union, said any new tariffs will have a negative impact on farmers.
• “We get a significant amount of potash that comes across the border from Canada. It is one of the principal fertilizer components that farmers need for a variety of crops, soybeans being a large user,” Thompson said…
• “Many farmers pre-buy a lot of material in the fall, in the very early spring, and try to get ahead of the game, if you will,” Thompson said.
• And even though Trump said he’ll wait until April 2 to impose new tariffs on external agricultural products from Canada and Mexico, Thompson said the uncertainty of what’s      ahead is unsettling to farmers.
• “Nervous, apprehensive, we’re not anymore in the know as far as what’s coming down the road as anybody.  And we’re concerned that it’s going to be a negative impact. Tariffs are a negative impact. So, we’ll just have to wait and see and take it one day at a time,” Thompson said.

Michigan Farm News: Tariffs are not ‘fun’ and farmers are frustrated, say ag leaders 

• “Farmers are frustrated. Tariffs are not something to take lightly and 'have fun' with,” Ragland      stated. “Not only do they hit our family businesses squarely in the wallet, but they rock a core tenet on which our trading relationships are built, and that is reliability.”
• Ragland was referencing a March 3 post by President Trump, promoting plans to implement reciprocal tariffs on the European Union in April where the president said, “Get ready to      start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun!”

Michigan Public Radio: Economist: Michigan to feel pain of tariffs earlier, and worse, than many other states 

• Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring said farmers and rural communities should brace for economic difficulties. "We have to  expect tariffs will immediately threaten agriculture jobs, our rural economies and ultimately what it costs to put food on the table," Boring said in an emailed statement.
  

-Michigan Democratic Party

LANSING, Mich.  — Today (3/18), House Democrats introduced the BRITE Act to push for more transparency in government. Unfortunately, despite Speaker Matt Hall’s bluster about transparency, time and time again, he has pushed an agenda that makes the government less accountable to the public.
 

“MAGA Matt Hall clearly only cares about transparency when it benefits him and his wannabe-DOGE-agenda,” said Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Curtis Hertel. “Let’s be clear on his record – MAGA Matt is sitting on FOIA reform legislation, ignoring a court order from a judge to transmit 9 bills that were rightfully passed through the Senate, and fast tracked an irresponsible budget that could defund schools, risk Jobs, and shut down Michigan – which lawmakers had 20 minutes to read. Democrats are clearly the only party in Michigan that is pushing to ensure that Michiganders can hold the government accountable for their actions.
 

“MAGA Matt’s anti-transparency agenda is part of a pattern from Republicans at all levels – they don’t believe they are accountable to the public, especially when it helps empower their billionaire buddies. The question is, what is Matt Hall trying to hide from? If he won’t do anything to help Michiganders, the least he could do is get out of our way while Dems do the work to deliver for our communities.”

-Michigan Democratic Party