Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2005, the Senate version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-2006 Department of Agriculture budget. This appropriates $110.0 million in adjusted gross spending, compared to $126.1 million, which was the FY 2004-2005 amount enrolled in 2004. Of this, $28.6 million will come from the state's general fund, compared to the FY 2004-2005 amount of $30.0 million

The vote was 37 in favor, 0 opposed and 1 not voting

(Senate Roll Call 236 at Senate Journal 56)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Tobocman, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement: "Mr. Speaker and members of the House: I voted no on the Senate Bill 264 (CR-1), the Department of Agriculture budget because the appropriations for migrant labor housing was reduced from $255,000 to a scant $100. The appropriation was already insufficient to provide adequate and much needed housing assistance to migrant laborers who often are forced to live in woefully substandard housing. This budget provides funding for better facilities for race horses and even funding for the care of retired race horses, yet we neglect to provide for the needs of a minority population of hard working agricultural workers upon whose labor our vital agricultural industry depends. This cut fails on both humanitarian and economic grounds."