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Minnesota farmers still in dark at conclusion of Session

Minnesota farmers remain in the dark on many pieces of legislation important to agriculture as the 2018 Legislative Session ends.

Minnesota Farmers Union director of government relations Thom Petersen says he’s not sure if Governor Dayton will sign the tax bill that includes Section 179 conformity, and he’s even less optimistic about the omnibus spending bill.

“That has money for farmer mental health, farm advocates, but (also) important $15 million for rural broadband.  That bill I don’t think the Governor will sign.”

Dayton also vetoed the ag policy bill, drawing the ire of MFU, the Minnesota Soybean Growers, Minnesota Corn Growers, and Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Farm Bureau president Kevin Paap tells Brownfield the list of accomplishments for agriculture at the end of the session is frustratingly short.

“We did get a 1-year moratorium on ditch mowing, had some positive changes for hours of service, and the University of Minnesota Ag Privacy Data Bill where we talked about allowing ag data submitted as private, encouraging more to participate.”

Governor Dayton has two weeks to decide whether he will sign the remaining bills into law.

 

Thom Petersen audio:

 

Kevin Paap audio: