Todd believes Congress must help ensure the well being of family farmers. Farming historically has, and will continue to be, a tremendous component in our local and national economy. Public policy should encourage and protect the family farm and encourage the next generation of farmers to continue in the rich heritage we have in Kansas while adopting new methods and techniques for farming.

Because Todd sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, he is able to help direct federal dollars back to south-central Kansas for projects otherwise funded by local tax dollars. Since taking office in 1994, Todd has worked to secure approximately $30 million in federal funds for agriculture-related research projects in the state of Kansas. These projects help scientists and researchers develop better weather-resistant grains, crops with value-added qualities, food safety initiatives and water conservation options for farmers. By improving the value in the crop, farmers are able to offer a better product on the open market.

Ethanol and biodiesel

Todd believes America must be taking steps to reduce its dependency on foreign oil. One of the ways to reduce our dependency on foreign oil is to expand the use of alternative forms of energy, such as ethanol and biodiesel. Todd is a supporter of both ethanol and biodiesel and believes each as a role to play in a balanced national energy policy. Not only are these fuels good from a national security perspective, but they are also good for the environment and help bring needed revenue to farming communities across Kansas. The Energy bill, H.R. 6, that Todd supported and President Bush signed into law in late 2005, contained a renewable fuels requirement to add 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel (such as ethanol) in gasoline by 2012.

The American Jobs Creation Act (P.L. 108-357, H.R. 4520) provides a tax credit of up to $1.00 per gallon for the sale and use of biodiesel for virgin agricultural products. The credit is $0.50 per gallon for biodiesel from recycled grease. In addition, the law provides an excise tax credit for biodiesel blends (i.e. biodiesel and conventional diesel). Producers are eligible for one credit or the other, but not both. These credits were set to expire at the end of 2006. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) extends these credits through 2008.

The Death Tax

Todd is an ardent supporter of permanently repealing the estate tax (commonly referred to as the death tax). The death tax is a tax on a person's assets once that person dies, which often forces families to re-purchase family farms and businesses at a time when they are morning the death of a loved one.

Todd has voted for repeal of the Death Tax in the 107th Congress, the 108th Congress and the 109th Congress.

Land owners and small business owners deserve to pass along to their families what they have worked a lifetime to attain. Forcing families to sell farms or buy back a business after the death of a loved one because of extreme taxes levied by the government is not right.

Eminent Domain

Todd believes governments should not be given the authority to transfer private land from one owner to another for economic development purposes. Securing the right of individuals to own and manage their own property is provided for in the U.S. Constitution. The Fifth Amendment states, "nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation."

Americans have relied on constitutional protection against abusive land transfers from one person to another for more than two centuries. History reminds us that nations that disregard the rights associated with private property ownership disregard other fundamental rights of the citizenry.

We have recognized there are times when governments need to purchase private land to build a road or construct a school for use by the general public. Occasionally, this has to be done against a landowner's wishes. But our Founders believed only under extreme circumstances should property be taken from a land owner for the greater public good. The idea that a government would use its eminent domain power to take land from one private owner and transfer it to another land owner for economic development is an abuse of the public good definition.