House Republican Leaders Speaker John Perzel and Majority Leader Sam Smith this week unveiled their Caucus legislative priorities for the fall.

While noting that one environmental initiative— a Growing Greener bond issue—was already accomplished, the priority list included several items related to the environment—

· Creating an Agriculture Preservation Property Tax Assistance Rebate;

· Use Realty Transfer Tax revenue from the sale of farmland for preservation efforts;

· Creating a farm to school program to promote local markets for farm products;

· Create joint state-local agricultural land preservation easements; and

· Creating a state energy policy

Also included on the Republican’s agenda were cuts in business and personal income taxes, protecting private property rights during eminent domain proceedings and eliminating the vehicle emission inspection program.

10/28/2005