HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-1994-020 Resolution in Support of Fair Treatment of Tobacco Farmers 9Y
ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
P.O. Box 8181
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C.
Moses Carey,Jr. 27278 732-8181
Alice M. Gordon
Stephen H. Halkiotis 968-4501
688-7331
Verla C. Insko
ORANGE COUNTY RESOLUTION 227-2031
Don Willhoit
IN SUPPORT ,OF FAIR 644-3004 (Fax)
TREATMENT OF TOBACCO FARMERS
WHEREAS, efforts are now taking place in Washington, D.C. to increase the
federal tax on tobacco from 24 cents per package of cigarettes to
as much as $1. 49 per package; and
WHEREAS, the president has proposed a health care reform plan that would be
partially financed through an increase of 75 cents per pack of
cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, no other commodity in our nation is taxed at this rate; and
WHEREAS, a 75 cent increase in the tax is estimated by the tobacco industry
to cause the loss of over 273, 000 jobs and $8 billion in payroll
nationwide; and
WHEREAS, 31, 242 of these jobs and $689 . 6 million in payroll would be lost in
North Carolina alone; and
WHEREAS, Orange County, with approximately 255 tobacco farmers, 1, 730 acres
of tobacco grown annually and more than 3 . 5 million pounds of
tobacco produced last year, has a significant economic and human
stake in tobacco production; and
WHEREAS, approximately six million dollars in income enters the Orange
County economy from tobacco grown in this County; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the
importance of tobacco farming in the rural economy of Orange
County; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the
plight of Tobacco Farmers in Orange County who must face declining
support for their products and pressures related to switching to
alternative crops.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Orange County Board of Commissioners supports the tobacco
farmers, and all agribusinesses associated with tobacco in Orange
County.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners urges our congressmen
David Price and Melvin Watt, as well as our Senators, Lauch
Faircloth and Jesse Helms to strongly encourage support for more
equitable and more diverse revenues, such as taxes on alcohol, to
finance health care reform.
YOU COUNT IN ORANGE COUNTY !
Orange County Resolution in Support
of Fair Treatment of Tobacco Farmers
Page 2
We urge Congress to adopt incentives and transitional support to
encourage and assist family tobacco farmers to adopt alternative
crops suitable for their area.
We further urge Congress to support continued funding for the
Tobacco Research Station in Granville County, North Carolina for
its work on alternative uses of tobacco and alternative crops for
tobacco farmers.
We further urge Congress to educate other members in the bodies to
which they were elected about the economic ramifications of such an
increase in the tobacco tax.
Be it further resolved that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners encourages tobacco farmers to diversify their farming
efforts as soon as possible and that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners stands ready to assist in this effort.
This the 6th day of June, 1994 .
Moses Carey, Jr. , Chair
Board of Commissioners