Beautiful spring weather has allowed farmers to make excellent progress in planting. As of Friday morning I would estimate that 90% of the corn is planted in Franklin County. This spring is unlike any that I remember. Some may be asking what is a good spring from a farmer's point of view? I am glad that you asked!
Some components to such a scenario are warm sunny days, low humidity and not much wind plus it can be cool but dry is the key. All of the above would be wonderful in May but that has been the case in April. Praise the Lord!
With all of the good news in the weather, I ran across a typical farmer the other day who said that the dry weather is already here and watch out for the summer. I am trying to enjoy this opportunity to have all my corn planted in April and be positive. Meanwhile, in the back of my mind I am afraid he could be right.
For the first time, a poll has been conducted solely of Southern Illinois residents, showing how people in the region feel about many important issues and the general consensus is they don';t feel good.
Among the results of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute poll: 69.8 percent of respondents believe the country is headed in the wrong direction; 85.3 percent believe the state is headed in the wrong direction; 59.6 percent disapprove of the job done by President Barack Obama; and 54.6 percent disapprove of the job done by Gov. Pat Quinn.
The Senate and House continue to proceed through their "informational" hearings on the state budget. The budget process has changed dramatically over the past 15 years. In the late 1980';s and into the early 1990';s appropriation bills were introduced for each state agency and commission separately. The bills were looked at, discussed, amended and voted on. Over several years this process was consolidated and underwent a metamorphosis into the current process of just one massive appropriation bill rolled out and voted on in just a few hours.
We expect the same progression for the passage of the state appropriation process to occur again. We have been talking to many legislators about when we expect to see a state budget and we are being told it will be in May. Many of you ask if the General Assembly will adjourn by its May 7 scheduled date, and we are optimistically hopeful, but realistically we expect it will be the end of May.
The outcome of a budget continues to look like the same as last year. The General Assembly will pass an appropriation bill that will make some cuts, but not sufficient to balance the $13 billion shortfall. There will most likely be no significant tax increases, like the income tax increase for education the Governor continues to call for. The "feeling" is that the problem will be addressed after the November 2nd election.
With the above information why would anybody be unhappy with state and federal government.
Remember, we are farmers working together. If we can help, let us know.
