Congressman Antonio Delgado met with constituents in the 19th congressional district Monday night. It came days after President Trump signed the Family Farmer Relief Act.

“This allows them to remain operational during this down farm economy, hopefully emerge better forward,” said Delgado.

Under this bill, the chapter 12 bankruptcy debt limit will increase from around $3.2 million to $10 million. It was introduced by Delgado with a bipartisan coalition in April.

“It’s not a panacea but it’s an important step that’s going to help our farmers deal with a rough economy.”

It was one of several issues discussed during the hour long town hall in Stephentown. The Berry Patch owner Dale-Ila Riggs came to asked Delgado what can be done to improve the H-2A program.

“It’s a bi-partisan issue,” stated Riggs. “All farmers need employees. There ought to be a way to get some bipartisan agreement.”

She says her workforce has been reduced from 10 to two because of how difficult it’s been to get reliable legal employees. Delgado says these issues can’t be solved without comprehensive immigration reform.

“We have both a moral imperative and an economic one to wrap our minds around these immigration problems that we have,” said Delgado.

In addition, Delgado also highlighted his newly introduced Green Jobs Opportunity Act, which would allocate money toward train people for green jobs.

Town councilman Gerry Robinson says it’s important for Delgado to visit this part of the district. 

“Stephentown is one of the areas along the eastern Rensselaer County line that I think he’s going to have a lot more growth with new voters in 2020,” Robinson said.