(Host) The Vermont House has given preliminary approval to legislation that elevates the commissioner of Agriculture to a cabinet level position. The legislation was proposed by Governor Jim Douglas earlier in the session.
Ruth Towne, the chairwoman of the House Agriculture Committee, says the change will help highlight the issues surrounding the state’s agricultural industry.
(Towne) “It will provide the secretary a seat at the table when the governor calls his cabinet and have the agricultural view of issues presented at that time. And I think it will in fact strengthen the whole scene as far as agriculture goes.”
(Host) Backers of the bill are hoping that the Senate will consider this proposal in the next few weeks.