GOVERNOR TAPS FARM BUREAU LEADER FOR PANEL

Gov. Bob Holden has named a task force on the future of agriculture, consisting of 38 members and including the Missouri Farm Bureau's president, Charles Kruse of Dexter.

Inclusion of Kruse should be applauded, especially given the falling out between the governor and Farm Bureau over the contentious issue of the governor's transportation bill in the just-completed legislative session. With its statewide membership, the Farm Bureau has considerable clout.

After a version of a bill containing the largest tax increase in state history passed the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, that measure failed in the Senate as time ran out in the last week. Strong opposition from the Farm Bureau was one reason. It is good to see a leader of Kruse's stature on this new statewide commission.