Republican leaders ask bankers to give farmers a break

Republican leaders in the Iowa House are asking bankers and regulators to goeasy on farmers who are having a hard time making loan payments because oflow commodity prices. Representative Russ Teig (tyg) — a farmer fromJewell — hopes the jawboning works.Teig says legislators will meet privately with state banking regulators toask for “leniency and flexibility” for farmers.Teig says ag lenders in Iowa are already aware of the situation, butWashington, D-C regulators may NOT be.The legislators aren’t proposing any STATE reaction to the worsening farmsituation, yet. However, one legislative leader says the farm crisis mayspur the move to ease property taxes. Representative Steve Sukup, arepublican from Doughterty, is House Speaker Pro Tempore.Sukup says republicans who control the debate agenda in the House haven’tdecided how big a property tax cut to propose in January 2000, when thestate legislature reconvenes. Seven Iowa legislators from BOTH parties willtravel to Washington, D-C, on Monday to talk with federal ag officials abouta series of proposed changes in the farm bill.