August/September - Wheat Life

Pay a little now or pay a lot later.If agricultural tax exemptions are cut, Washington’s farmers will seea substantial drop in income. The numbers speak for themselves:Fuel tax:Fuel is taxed at $0.375/gallon to the state alone.There are also local and federal taxes applied,which are not included in this estimate.Number of Gallons Estimated Tax5,000 $1,87510,000 $3,75020,000 $7,500B&O tax:Estimated to be based on the manufacturersrate of $0.00484/gross dollar.Gross Revenue Estimated Tax$1,000,000 $4,840$5,000,000 $24,200Sales tax on fertilizers,pesticides and inputs:State sales tax is $0.065/dollar.Cost of product Estimated Tax$100,000 $6,500$250,000 $16,250$500,000 $32,500$1,000,000 $65,000Sales tax on equipmentand repairs:State sales tax is $0.065/dollarCost of Product Estimated Tax$100,000 $6,500$250,000 $16,250$500,000 $32,500$1,000,000 $65,000$2,000,000 $130,000Join active growers working to re-elect wheat-friendly legislators.It’s better to invest a few thousand dollars in a campaign occasionally,than pay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes every year.Which would you rather do?Rural Washington has always had less representation in the state legislature than the urban areas of Seattle and Spokane.In recent years, however, rural areas have also been losing district seats. Years ago, Eastern Washington held 18of the state’s 49 legislative districts. Today, that number is down to 11. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican,the point is simple. There are fewer rural voices in today’s legislature, and farm-friendly candidates are few and farbetween. We need to make sure those friendly candidates stay in office. That takes money.In October 2011, the bipartisan Wheat Industry Council PAC was formed to protect the interests of Washingtonstate wheat farmers by supporting farm-friendly political candidates through political donations. This is a functionoutside of WAWG, and a mission that WAWG cannot perform. Active, committed growers have pledged their ownmoney to make contributions to elected officials from all parts of the state and all political parties who have historicallydemonstrated support for the wheat industry’s goals and objectives. Handing out cookies by themselves won’tcut it anymore. Make a difference!Make checks payable to the Wheat Industry Council, P.O. Box 184, Ritzville, Wash., 99169 • www.wheatPAC.comTaking the voice of wheat to the heart of state government.