JOHANNS PROPOSES ADDING RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING TO FARM BILL

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns outlined details April 5 of several proposed 2007 farm bill changes that he said will streamline USDA's Rural Development programs and expand funding for rural health care and community facilities.
The proposals would increase funding for Rural Critical Access Hospitals and for other community needs, ranging from water systems to distance learning capabilities in schools.

USDA is proposing funding to support a $1.6 billion loan program to help rehabilitate and update facilities and equipment at Rural Critical Access Hospitals.

To enhance basic rural infrastructure, the administration also proposes infusing an additional $500 million to reduce the backlog of applications for rural development water and waste disposal grants and loans, emergency community water assistance grants, community facilities loan and grant programs that assist rural first responders, broadband access loans, and distance learning and telemedicine grants.
The administration also proposes consolidating several rural development legislative authorities.