Local government a top issue for Indiana Farm Bureau

The Indiana Farm Bureau says problems facing local governments in Indiana are among its top policy concerns heading into next year.

The state's largest farm organization says it will strongly support efforts to retain township trustees and township advisory boards. Several legislative proposals in recent years have sought to shrink local government and eliminate or consolidate such positions.

The Farm Bureau also wants funding for mandatory education programs to come from the state, not from local property taxes. And the Farm Bureau wants residents in both incorporated and unincorporated areas to have a say in any proposed county consolidation efforts.