Re: Voluntary Grazing Retirement Act
Dear Editor:
H.R. 5737 introduced by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA-09) will further perpetuate income inequality in the rural Western United States. Rural towns have already died due to similar enactments and this bill will speed the process.
If grazing permits were to be retired, it removes future opportunities for the younger generation in rural communities to enter the livestock industry.
It also removes job opportunities for employment in the ranching industry as well, putting local small businesses out of business, such as equipment dealers, feed stores, equipment repair shops, etc. Look what happened to Detroit when the auto industry left, and Detroit had more resources.
Due to catastrophic fires in the recent past, many environmentally concerned parties have reevaluated their position regarding grazing, and are applying grazing for fire control. Those who haven’t are often making a significant part of their income from suing the government under the Equal Access to Justice Act and receiving taxpayer funds.
The cosponsors of this bill do not appear to have connections with rural constituents. As reflected by the income levels of the counties they represent, it appears they represent some of the most elite areas of the United States.
• Rep. Smith represents parts of King and Pierce counties, WA, median income $73,035 and $59,511 respectively;
• Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) represents Ventura County, CA, median income $77,335;
• Adam Schiff represents part of Los Angeles County, CA, median income in his part
$100,585;
• Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) represents part of Los Angeles County, CA, median income $100,585;
• Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) represents parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties, CA,
median income $89,759;
• Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) represents parts of Multnomah and Clackmas counties, OR, median income $76,597;
• Rep. Dereck Kilmer (D-WA) represents parts of Calallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kilsap, Mason, Pierce counties, WA, median income $47,202-$76,945;
• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) represents King and Snohomish counties, WA, median income $69,443-$73,035; and
• Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) represents Thurston, Pierce, Mason counties, WA, median income: $53,089 – $76,945.
As a comparison, Sanpete County, UT, home of both sheep and cattle permittees, has a median income of $48,305 and an average income of $17,519.
Why do these congressional representatives from elitist areas feel they have a dog in this fight?
Terry Mahoney, Mt. Pleasant, UT
