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Archive for February, 2003

Washington Update - Late February 2003

Late February 2003

In This Issue:
• Current Year Funding Finalized
• Bonus Purchase Fund to be Replenished
• Formula Changes Benefit California
• Congressional Subcommittees Named
•
Current Year Funding Finalized
Fiscal year 2003 appropriations for TEFAP were finalized last week when President Bush signed the omnibus appropriations bill, HJR2. The legislation provides $190 million for TEFAP this year — $50 million for storage, processing, and administrative costs and $140 million for food purchases, the same funding levels as in fiscal year 2002.
However, all discretionary programs in the bill were reduced by a 0.65 percent across-the-board cut, paring TEFAP administrative funding back to $49.675 million. The mandated food purchases were unaffected. The legislation contains a provision allowing USDA to convert up to $10 million from food to administration; although the transfer has not been officially approved yet, USDA officials indicated it is likely.
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Washington Update - February 2003

February 2003

In This Issue:
• FY03 Appropriations Finalized
• FY04 Spending to be Debated
• Congressional Subcommittees Named

FY03 Appropriations Finalized
Four and a half months into the new fiscal year, Congressional appropriators finally reached agreement on funding for federal programs during fiscal year 2003, which began last October and runs through the end of September. Congress combined 11 of the 13 regular appropriations in one piece of legislation – House Joint Resolution (HJR) 2.
Under HJR2, TEFAP will receive $XX million in discretionary funding this year for storage and processing expenses (an increase/the same level as last year). TEFAP will also receive an additional $140 million in mandatory spending for commodities. A provision in the legislation gives USDA authority to transfer $XX million from the food dollars to assist with storage and processing needs. USDA hopes to finalize state allocations and distribute the funds shortly.
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