Pa. Agricultural funding plan a mixed bag
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A woman wearing a necktie embraces another woman in an anonymous photo from the early 20th century. Is it gay? The Library Company of Philadelphia explores that question and others with a new exhibit. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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A woman's face is scratched out in a tintype from the 1890s, suggesting strong passions. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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The relationship between Joseph Rodman Drake and Fitz-Greene Halleck, 'America's Byron,' in the mid-19th century is well documented in Halleck's writing. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Walt Whitman's 'come-hither' portrait from Leaves of Grass stands in sharp contrast to the formal portraits of the time, according to curator Connie King. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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An exhibit at the Library Company of Philadelphia explores the early history of gayness in America. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Valentine's Day cards lampooning gender bending take on a twist in the context of The Library Company's new exhibit: That's So Gay. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Curator Connie King combed the archives of the Library Company of Philadelphia for material suggestive of the early history of gayness in America. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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The Pennsylvania Railroad World War II Memorial by Walter Hancock depicts an angel raising a fallen soldier from the flames of war. (Emma Lee/for NewsWorks)
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Proposed increases to farming-related programs are prompting warm and fuzzy feelings at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
At the same time, the agriculture lobby is also keeping an eye on proposals to zero out certain funds.
Last week, Gov. Tom Corbett proposed a 3 percent increase for Penn State-administered programs supporting farmers, and a 9 percent hike in spending for general operations under the Department of Agriculture.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the group most closely watching farm-related programs.
But bureau spokesman Mark O’Neill hedged his praise for the budget proposal.
“Obviously, that’s kind of the starting point,” O’Neill said.
The administration’s spending plan also calls for canceling the funds for several programs within the Department of Agriculture — including ones for agricultural research and centers supporting the beef and dairy industries.
The beef and dairy programs also get nonstate funding, an agency spokeswoman said.
Programs typically are slashed early on in the budgeting process, only to be restored eventually by lawmakers, O’Neill said.
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