Rent Seeking For 'Christmas tree tax' spar returns

The Hill reports:

Christmas tree farmers have renewed their push for the creation of a marketing and research program that conservative critics have dubbed a “Christmas tree tax.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2011 moved to create a marketing and research program for Christmas trees that would have been similar to the “Got Milk?” or “Pork: The other white meat” campaigns.

But the promotional push was put on hold amid an uproar from conservative groups and anti-tax advocates.

Farmers haven’t given up on the idea, and are now pushing to have the program authorized in the farm bill legislation that is being negotiated by the House and Senate. They say they’re at risk of being run out of the market, and insist the program would involve “zero tax dollars.”

As you can see: rent seeking doesn't even take off for Christmas!