FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2010
CONTACT: Martha Hanson
O -802-828-2226
C – 802-535-9684
Lt. Governor Brian Dubie Praises Congressional Delegation’s Leadership on Dairy Pricing Fix
(Montpelier, VT , July 12, 2010) – Lt. Governor Brian Dubie today said that legislation unveiled in South Burlington today by Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders promises a long-term solution to milk price instability that has pushed many of Vermont ’s dairy farmers to the brink.
“The future of our state as we know it depends on the survival of our dairy farms,” Dubie said, “and that is wholly dependent on getting a fair price for their milk. It’s a fix that only Washington can provide. Vermont ’s farmers should know, and all Vermonters can be proud to know that Congressman Peter Welch, and Senators Pat Leahy and Bernie Sanders have provided the vision and leadership in Washington to save the American dairy farmer.”
In May, Congressman Welch and Congressman Jim Costa of California introduced the H.R. 5288, The Dairy Price Program Stabilization Act of 2010, in the House of Representatives.
Last week, Senator Sanders introduced S. 3531, The Dairy Market Stabilization Act in the Senate. Senator Leahy, as senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee is a co-sponsor, along with Senator Patty Murray of Washington .
Dubie wrote to his fellow-lieutenant governors in April, urging them to ask their representatives in Congress to sign on as co-sponsors. A number of lieutenant governors signaled their support. Dubie said he will contact lieutenant governors again to rally support for the Sanders-Leahy Senate bill.
“Anything I can do to leverage my relationships in other states, that will help bring Senate cosponsors on board with this important legislation is a role I am honored to play in support our dairy farmers,” Dubie concluded.
