(KNSI) – The Minnesota State Senate passed an omnibus agriculture bill Thursday by an overwhelming margin of 58-7.
The bill originated in a committee chaired by St. Cloud’s Aric Putnam (DFL). He says it is a transformative bill that is the result of town halls and listening sessions. It includes $100 million for rural broadband investments and $14 million to support a grain indemnity fund that protects farmers against a bad harvest season. The fund is part of $48 million in agriculture spending in the bill.
Rockville Republican Senator Jeff Howe says there are key oversights that will need to be addressed in the future. He says there is more work to be done. “I’m disappointed that this bill did not include funding for fertilizer and soil health programs, which are the bloodline of Minnesota.”
It will go to a conference committee where a final budget is negotiated between the House and Senate.
___
Copyright 2023 Leighton Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!