GOP Farm Subsidy Hypocrisy

One of the things we’ve seen over and over and over this legislative session is the hypocrisy of Republican leadership in the legislature. First, it was increasing their health benefits, while trying to cut benefits for Montanans. Then, it was the hypocrisy of Sen. Lewis, who after years of serving as a state employee, he now wants to cap state employee pay.

However, the latest incident takes the hypocrisy cake.

A recent study released by The Policy Institute, examines farm subsidies that members of the legislature receives. It particularly focuses on those legislators that have railed against federal assistance to state government, while helping themselves to thousands or millions of federal dollars.

The study found that from 1995 through 2009, current legislators received more than $7 million in federal farm subsidies. Republicans received 98.8% of the money. The top recipient was Rep. Janna Taylor, who received more than $1 million for a farm that she is part owner of.

We need to be clear, farm subsidies from the federal government are an important thing. They help keep food prices low, provide an abundance of food for communities and help support local farmers who are integral parts of our rural communities.

The problem is (as it usually is with the GOP) hypocrisy. These extreme Republican lawmakers are demonizing federal subsidies that help rural hospital upgrade their technology to better serve their patients and federal dollars that help maintain our infrastructure, all while taking money themselves.

The Republicans who have received these federal subsidies have an obligation to make their deeds match their words. They either need to stop accepting federal subsidies for their own personal gain, or they need to admit the fact that these federal dollars play an important role in building stronger communities and businesses in Montana.