From the Rhode Island Land Trust Council:

Call and Email your representative NOW, ask them to please vote in support of Floor Amendments to restore the Farmland & Open Space Bond Referendum to the FY 2009 Budget!

Click on "More..." for the details and a link to your local representatives.

What You Should Know:
 
- House Finance Committee deleted a $5 million Bond Referendum for farmland protection and land conservation from the budget.
 
- This vote shuts down the state’s farmland protection program  … an effective program operating since 1985 – even in years when there were difficult state budgets.
 
- Rhode Island will lose $4-6 million/year in federal farmland protection funding without a new state bond for matching funds.
 
- A $5 million bond referendum for farmland protection will have
NO impact on FY 2009 Budget.  Bonds would be issued in FY2010 and FY2011 as partial match for federal farmland protection funding.
          Cost in FY2010 budget – less than $250,000
                        (for over $10 million total in farmland protection funding)
          Cost in FY 2011 budget – less than $500,000
                        (for over $20 million total in farmland protection funding)
 
 
- Funds invested in farmland protection get permanent benefits!
… for the state’s economy and our quality of life.
 In 20 years, we will again be spending more state funds to repair the transportation infrastructure being funded this year while the farmland will still be contributing to our economy without additional state costs.
 
Do NOT Shut Down the State’s Farmland Protection Program.
 
Invest in Rhode Island’s Future:
 
Support floor amendments by Rep. Walsh, Rep. Loughlin and others to authorize a bond referendum for farmland and open space conservation.  Give Rhode Island voters the ability to decide if the state’s farmland protection program should be continued!

Contact your representatives NOW! Click here for contact info.