Rossi gets endorsement from Farm Bureau

Republican candidate for governor Dino Rossi picked up the endorsement of the the Washington Farm Bureau on Tuesday.

“Our grassroots leaders are united in the belief that a Rossi administration will finally bring about the kinds of changes we need in Olympia - from solutions to the coming budget crisis, to fixing our transportation problems, to changing the culture of state government, and protecting our homes and families,” said Bob Stuhlmiller, chairman of the organization's political action committee.

Officials from the Washington Farm Bureau said Rossi earned endorsement recommendations from 22 county farm bureaus across Washington.

“Dino Rossi understands that in order for agriculture to be successful in Washington, it needs a business climate that is favorable and a regulatory climate that is not suffocating for farmers and ranchers,” Stuhlmiller said.

The organization is actively involved in political efforts in Washington state.

In 2006, it promoted Initiative 933, the controversial "Property Fairness Initiative" that would have required state and local governments to compensation property owners when regulations damage the use or value of private property. Critics warned the law would undercut zoning restrictions and turn farms and forests into subdivisions and strip malls, and also prevent governments from banning junkyards and strip joints in residential neighborhoods.

Rossi supported I-933, which was rejected by voters statewide and fell to defeat in Island County after getting only 33 percent of the vote.

Rossi is challenging incumbent Gov. Chris Gregoire for the state's top job in November. Gregoire won the post after a highly-contested recount in 2004.