Revitalizing the Plains
These are the facts: Americans are leaving rural areas, ditching farmland and small towns, and heading for the big cities.
More and more children grow up, graduate from high school, leave town for college, and never come back.
Consequently, once-thriving towns and small cities across the United States are dying.
But a recently proposed bill could help reverse that, and it's one you need to know about.
The bill in question is the New Homestead Act (S.602), and it was written by North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan and Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel. It's fitting that these two Midwesterners propose such a bill, because their two states are facing the exact problem it addresses.
The Homestead Act seeks to lure people back to the Great Plains by offering tax incentives, tax credits, and payment of student loans. In return, barren areas will see residents again.
First of all, we need to make this clear: To qualify, a county must have 10 percent fewer residents than they had in the 1990 census.
Marion County, however, has had a population increase. According to the census bureau, 12,888 people lived in Marion County in 1990. That number grew to 13,361 in 2000.
But even though this county wouldn't qualify, 50 others in the state would. That's 50 counties who are losing population — a big number. Many of them probably surround us.
That's why we need this bill.
What would it do for Kansas residents? If you pledge to live in one of these 50 counties for five years, you'd get a $5,000 tax credit when you buy a home. You'd get half of your student loans paid (up to $10,000). If your house declined in value, you could deduct that amount from your income taxes.
If you run a small business, you could receive tax credits. If you start a business, you could receive money toward your initial investment.
All this could be a lifesaver for a dying town.
If all this sounds good to you, contact your legislators in Washington. Let them know you support S.602 — the New Homestead Act.
— JENNIFER WILSON
