Mudslinging the budget
Apr 6, 2017 | Opinion |
Editor’s note: The Missouri Democratic Party is circulating information criticizing the Trump Administration budget proposal. Their protrayal of the budget process claims cuts to the USDA would jeopardize financing for six water infrastructure projects in North Missouri, including the construction of a new water treatment plant to provide an adequate supply of potable water to the citizens of Gallatin and an upgrade for a wastewater treatment facility at Gilman City. Further, the information presented as a “news release” attempts to link Congressman Sam Graves to “Donald Trump’s reckless budget that puts the health and safety of Northern Missouri at risk.”
An inquiry was made by this newspaper to Rep. Graves’ office. Communications officer Wes Shaw responded, stating that Congress would set out to craft a federal budget that cuts deficits while maintaining funding for programs essential to North Missouri, including those that help localities comply with clean water regulations. ” In regards to the specific programs in question,” Mr. Shaw writes, “Sam last week signed onto a letter to the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee requesting robust funding for the USDA’s Water and Sewer Loan and Grant program, the Circuit Rider program, and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Grassroots Source Water Protection program in their FY 2018 appropriations bill. We obviously understand the importance of USDA and programs like this in rural areas like ours.
In addition, an inquiry was made at Gallatin City Hall, prompting the following response:
The political mudslinging is really ramping up and the mud seems to be laced with jagged rocks. Consequently, the City of Gallatin is being used as a pawn in the battle raging in Washington D. C.
The city is receiving some Federal assistance on our water plant project, but the vast majority of the funds necessary for this project are being provided by the users of the system. The USDA is providing the construction loan for the project, but it will be paid back at the conclusion of the construction with Bond proceeds which the City of Gallatin will be liable for going forward. The USDA backing of these bonds implies stability for the bond holders, which allows us to have a lower interest rate, but it still is ultimately our responsibility to honor those bonds. Isn’t that the way it should be? The current battle in DC is about political power and crony capitalism. We, here in the breadbasket of the world just want to live and be left alone.
Will the current battles in DC impact our water plant project? Possibly, but it already has. USDA involvement in the financing comes at a cost and some would argue that the cost is more than the value given. The fact remains that for every decision made there are unintended consequences that must be dealt with. The City started down the path of Federal assistance and has benefitted from that involvement, so we will do what needs to be done when unintended consequences arise.
The point is that for us to thrive in our region we must invest back in the infrastructure we need to survive. We appreciate the efforts of the local USDA office, but the future of our region is not in their hands as federal employees. It is in all of our hands as citizens of our communities. Some seem to think the federal government can work some sort of magic and make our problems go away. The reality is that if we want something we will have to pay for it in blood, sweat and tears. There is no other way. We have no right to steal money from someone else to pay for our water plant or pave our streets. The city of Gallatin voted to build a water plant and we will, no matter what happens in DC.
Sincerely,
Tony Stonecypher
City Administrator. City of Gallatin
