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Maple Tapping Access Program (TAP) Act, H.R. 1272
This post Maple Tapping Access Program (TAP) Act, H.R. 1272 originally appeared on Truth About Bills
The following was originally posted in the National Taxpayers Union Foundation’s Taxpayer’s Tab weekly newsletter on April 6, 2013. The Foundation’s BillTally project scores the potential spending of every introduced bill in Congress:
The Bill: H.R. 1272, the Maple Tapping Access Program (TAP) Act
Annualized Cost: $20 million ($100 million over five years)
Maple syrup is a signature component of Vermont’s economic and cultural identity: 35% of syrup produced in the U.S. comes from the Green Mountain State, representing 7% of the world’s total supply. Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) has introduced a bill to promote maple syrup products with help from the federal government.
The TAP Act would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to give state governments or research institutions financial assistance to promote domestic maple sugar industries. Grants would be offered to advance sustainable maple-tapping practices, market maple syrup products, and encourage private land-owners to make their land available for tapping.
Representative Welch said ”[m]aple syrup and those who produce it are part of the fabric of Vermont … These investments in the maple industry will ensure it remains a strong part of Vermont’s economy and identity for generations to come.”
At least one other state would also like to “tap” into this proposed program. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says that only about one percent of New York’s maple trees are being used to produce syrup. According to the report, Senator Schumer pushed for the inclusion of the TAP Act in one of the Senate farm bills, S. 10, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013, which was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and has 19 cosponsors.
The TAP act would increase federal outlays by $20 million per year, for a total of $100 million over five years.
This post Maple Tapping Access Program (TAP) Act, H.R. 1272 originally appeared on Truth About Bills
2013-04-09 14:02:16
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