Ohio Agribusiness Association : Hackett to Focus on Promoting Ag as Committee Chairman

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Source: The Hannah Report

Sen. Bob Hackett (R-London) plans to concentrate on bolstering Ohio's largest industry in his new leadership role, the newly-promoted Senate Agriculture Committee chairman told Hannah News in an interview.

'I don't have a strong agenda other than to promote agriculture. Right now, I don't see a lot of real strong legislation,' Hackett said. 'I just want to make sure, as a businessman, that we do everything we can to promote agriculture and create the best business environment and protect the consumer.'

There are currently only two pieces of legislation pending in the Senate Agriculture Committee - SB232 (Thomas), which would allow a licensed veterinarian to receive up to two continuing education credits per biennium for performing free spaying and neutering services, and SR288 (Hite), which would recognize the existence of two alfalfa products in light of recent action taken by the Ingredient Definition Committee of the Association of Feed Control Officials. Hackett said SB232 would 'get resolved fairly quickly' once lawmakers return from holiday break in January.

Hackett, who replaced former Sen. Cliff Hite as chair after he resigned amid sexual harassment allegations, said he didn't necessarily run for office to pass a high number of bills. He said while the agriculture industry isn't heavily regulated, there are many areas where businesses are already too heavily regulated in the state.

'We've got to promote to make sure our farmers can be as competitive as we can,' he said. 'Right now, I have some ideas, but you know, they're ideas like -- how can we expand markets? Are there things we can do legislation-wise? … Maybe it can be done without legislation … I'm not here to get credit for all of these bills and laws and regulations, because I think we've got too many regulations.'

He said it's important to create an environment that encourages more agriculture-related industries to do business in the state.

'I'd like to see more industry come to Ohio. Ohio's got so much to offer,' Hackett said. 'We've got great, productive farmland. We've got tremendous logistics systems in place. We're so close to the majority of the population in this country. We've got great universities. We've got great agriculture research areas like Ohio State etc.'

While acknowledging that employment in some areas of agriculture has been decreasing over the years, he points to rising employment in other areas of the industry, while also noting the increase in efficiencies.

'Employment in traditional agriculture is dwindling. But employment in total agriculture-related industries is not dwindling,' he said noting graduation rates of agriculture-related majors at Ohio State University. 'Farmers are becoming more efficient. … That's great. I mean, no one can out-produce our farmers. So that's fantastic, because look at the worldwide competition. … we're just staying competitive. Our farmers have been doing a great job in creating quality products at lower prices.'

Hackett said he worked in agriculture for six years with his father after graduating from Columbia University, noting he has continued to work with farmers and promote agriculture during his time as a county commissioner, state representative and state senator.

He noted his work encouraging people to attend the Farm Science Review, which draws farmers from across the state to London every September.

'It's the number one attraction in Madison County,' Hackett said.

He said he took the job as ag chair because he's familiar with industry, the key players, and business generally.

'I have expertise. I understand agriculture. I understand commodities and how to use commodities,' Hackett said. 'I knew I could do a good job, and so when the president asked me if I could do it, I said, 'Of course.''

He added that the position suits him well.

'I'm the type -- I want to be chairman. That's where I can help the best. I'm not somebody who wants to be in Senate leadership. I want to be a chairman where I can help and have expertise to help,' Hackett said.

During his time in the House, Hackett said he became close friends with Rep. Brian Hill (R-Zanesville), who currently chairs the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

'I couldn't have a better ag chair to work with in the House. We were both previously county commissioners, so we have a lot in common. I talk to him a lot,' Hackett said. 'He has great expertise, being a farmer, and we just have a really good relationship and we work really well together.'

He said he worked with Hill, Sen. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) and others on ensuring reforms to the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) formula made it into the final version of the budget bill, HB49 (R. Smith). CAUV reform had been a major priority for the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) and Ohio Farmers Union (OFU).

Hackett said he developed a 'really good' relationship with OFBF over the years.

'When you first start as a legislator, you have this vision of working with people who are there to represent an industry and how they'll play hardball with you. … That's not what happens. What happens is, they're a reference. They want access to you. They want to be able to show their side. They want to know what you're thinking,' Hackett said. 'And they know, if I disagree with them, I'm going to tell them why I disagree with them.'

Story originally published in The Hannah Report on December 22, 2017. Copyright 2017 Hannah News Service, Inc.