9/10: New Ag chairwoman may not change committee's position on climate bill

New York Times: New Ag chairwoman may not change committee's position on climate bill

Even though Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) is an outspoken critic of the cap-and-trade bill, it's not likely that her new position as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee will significantly alter how the Senate deals with farm concerns in the climate bill.

Concerned that the cap-and-trade bill may increase costs for farmers too much, Lincoln recommended that the Senate instead take a more narrow approach with renewable energy legislation by taking up the energy bill the Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed this summer.

Now as head of one of the more than six committees that could weigh in on global warming this fall, Sen. Lincoln brings a different voice to the climate and farmland conservation discussions than the previous chairman. It will be interesting to watch.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: University of Alabama researchers tout kudzu's dietary value

ARKANSAS: Sen. Lincoln named head of Senate agriculture committee

FLORIDA: George LeMieux gets ready to be Florida's newest senator

GEORGIA: Three GOP elected officials don't like public option for health care

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear urges Congress to extend unemployment benefits

LOUISIANA: State's politicians comment on President Obama's speech

MISSISSIPPI: ACLU files lawsuit against state agency for religious overtones to event

NORTH CAROLINA: State lottery doing well despite general downturn in gambling

SOUTH CAROLINA: Rep. Joe Wilson heckles President Obama during speech

TENNESSEE: Child advocacy group works to block new state foster-care law

VIRGINIA: Now, Gov. Kaine says nearly 600 state employees to be laid off

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