Farmers Rally Around Barnes, Endorse Her Call for Change

Press Release

Farmers Rally Around Barnes, Endorse Her Call for Change

Today, the Kay Barnes for Congress campaign unveiled "Farmers for Kay" and called for Washington to stand up to oil companies, which are to blame for the outrageous gas prices that are forcing dramatic increases in the price of production farming. She also said Washington needs to stop playing politics with the Production Tax Credit, which is essential for the growth of our renewable energy sources that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil and benefit the Northwest Missouri economy.

Bill Bruce of Lucerne, chairman of Farmers for Kay, said, "As a farmer, I can tell you that we're not happy with Sam Graves as our representative. In the District, he says what we want to hear, but in Washington, he does the bidding of the oil companies and special interests."

Farmers for Kay has members in each of the 6th Congressional District's 26 counties and will be responsible for advising Kay Barnes on the issues that are affecting our family farmers. They will also contact their colleagues and neighbors to inform them of Kay Barnes' positions on the issues.

"More than ever, farmers need a strong ally in Washington," said Kay Barnes, candidate for Congress in the 6th Congressional District. "The soaring price of gas - which has nearly tripled since Congressman Sam Graves sworn into office 2001 - has hurt farmers more than almost anyone. The price of diesel fuel and fertilizer are at record highs, making it more difficult for farmers, especially our family farmers, to make a living."

Continued Barnes: "I am proud to have the strong support of farmers from around the 6th Congressional District. I pledge to stand with them, and not with the oil companies and other special interests that have a stranglehold on Washington. It is unacceptable that our family farmers have a Congressman who votes for more tax giveaways for oil companies and against the Product Tax Credit for wind, a technology which is doing so much for Northwest Missouri."

Graves voted against H.R. 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act, a bill which would redirect tax breaks away from the big oil companies and toward renewing the Production Tax Credit for wind farms and creating new tax incentives for solar power and ethanol. This vote was cast on February 27, 2008. Only two weeks prior, Exxon Mobil, which strongly opposed the legislation, gave Congressman Sam Graves a $2,000 campaign contribution. The Production Tax Credit is set to expire in less than six months.

Concluded Bruce: "Kay Barnes is who we need in Congress. She has the courage to stand up to oil companies and fight for our interests. And she has gotten things done by working with people from both political parties. Barnes would be a much better person to have speaking for us than Graves."

Farmers for Kay has the following chairmen in each county: Harold Johnson (Andrew), Rick Oswald (Atchison), Rodney Harrington (Buchanan), Donnie Cox (Caldwell), Travis Graham (Carroll), Keith Eisberg (Chariton), Charlie Trump (Clay), Judy & Delbert Wright (Clinton), Alice Wendleton (Cooper), Stan Huffman (Daviess), Wendell Berry (DeKalb), Mike Waltemuth, (Gentry), Gary Dolan (Grundy), Russell Meinecke (Harrison), Melvin Hayzlett (Holt), Elizabeth Brown (Howard), Joe Bolger (Jackson), Randy Wade (Linn), Wayne Ware (Livingston), Brad and Pam Bruse (Mercer), Mike Killingsworth (Nodaway), John Pepper (Platte), Bill Bruce (Putnam), Eddie Berry (Schuyler), Wayne Halter (Sullivan), Mark Cadle (Worth).

Barnes continues to garner overwhelming grassroots support from around the District. Last month, Teachers for Kay also announced their support for her candidacy.

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