COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Dorchester County farmer John Pendarvis used to think Gov. Nikki Haley had the backs of farmers in South Carolina. She told him that in front of reporters in his muddy, flooded field less than three years ago.
Now the cotton, peanut and corn farmer who lost about $250,000 in 2015 that crop insurance isn’t close to fully covering is stunned the governor plans to veto $40 million in state aid for farmers devastated in last year’s flood.
Haley says she is vetoing the farm bill because it unfairly gives farmers help not offered to other small businesses. The Legislature overwhelmingly passed the measure last week.
Pendarvis says the government helps some groups but not others all the time. He and other farmers point to economic incentives for companies like Boeing.