Political Quotes

“I thank the chairman for his recognition and for his strong leadership on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this legislation and specifically to highlight section 4 of the bill, which would make permanent the hugely successful conservation easement tax incentive. When the time comes for families across our great country to decide the future of land that has been farmed for generations or is blessed with abundant natural resources, the choices should not be limited to simply selling that land or struggling to pay bigger tax bills to hold onto what are likely their most valuable family assets. The extremely difficult decisions families make about their farms and their property ultimately affect not only their lives but also the quality of life for their neighbors and the character of their communities. Conservation easements provide property owners with another choice when looking for an alternative to selling their land. Before expiring at the end of 2013, modest-income property owners, family farmers, and other landowners utilized this Tax Code incentive to voluntarily protect millions of acres of land across the country. I have been fortunate to meet many of the families in my district who have been able to preserve their property thanks to the conservation easement deduction.…”