Jan. 31, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), chairman of the state House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, was in the nation’s capital on Tuesday taking part in the White House Conference on Rural Prosperity with State and Local Leaders, an event aimed at removing barriers to success for rural America.
“It is exciting to see so many people coming together for the sole purpose of talking about challenges facing our rural communities and how to overcome those issues,” Causer said. “I was truly honored to have the opportunity to take part in this conference and am encouraged by the dedicated advocates working together to fight for our rural economy and the people who call rural America home.”
The event brought together leaders from across the country, including legislators, state agriculture secretaries, lieutenant governors and more. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue addressed the conference, as did other top administration officials.
According to Causer, Perdue talked at length about the significant infrastructure needs in rural America. In addition to traditional infrastructure, such as road and bridge improvements, Perdue focused on the need to build up technology infrastructure in rural communities, citing its impact on precision agriculture, telemedicine, education, commerce and overall quality of life. He pointed to President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aimed at streamlining and expediting requests to locate broadband facilities in rural America as a much-needed boost for the effort to bring high-speed internet service to the estimated 39 percent of rural Americans who do not currently have the service.
“We have been talking a lot about rural broadband on the state level and what we can do legislatively to help rural areas like ours,” Causer said. “It really is a vital component to rebuilding our rural economy.”
Causer said Perdue also talked about other priorities for the USDA, including trade, labor, education and regulatory reform, and about the threat of invasive species to the agriculture industry.
“I was also encouraged by the secretary’s comments about the United States Forest Service and how they need to do a better job of managing our forests to ensure they are both healthy and productive to support our rural economy,” Causer said.
Overall, Causer said the conference was both informative and encouraging.
“After years of neglect by the prior administration, rural America is finally getting the attention and support it needs and deserves,” Causer said. “The people who addressed the conference today clearly recognize the importance of this sector of our economy and the people who live in our rural communities. It will take time, but I am optimistic about our future.”
Representative Martin T. Causer
67th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia A. Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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