Dairy Compact

WASHINGTON - Driven by election-year fervor, the Senate gave final approval yesterday to an agriculture bill that guarantees farmers a predictable flow of taxpayer-subsidized income for the next six years. The bill marks a reversal from the current U.S. farm law, enacted in 1996, which was intended to wean farmers from dependence on federal crop subsidies. But the measure's political appeal was potent in a year when several of its chief advocates, who represent farm states, face tough re-election races.

Pension proposal would not fix system's flawsI am writing in response to the letter of April 2, signed by Louis L. Goldstein, comptroller; Peter Vaughn, executive director, State Retirement and Pension System of Maryland, and Carl Lancaster, chairman, Pension Study Subcommittee. Since my name was used as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Benefits Subcommittee, I feel I must correct the record.I would be the first to say improvements are needed in the state employees and teachers pension systems.