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Minnesota Farm Bureau priorities still in play as special session begins

Minnesota lawmakers gathering for a special session have until June 30th to pass a state budget and avoid a government shutdown.

Minnesota Farm Bureau associate director of public policy Josie Lonetti tells Brownfield this year’s session began with legislators believing there would be a budget deficit.

“And now as the state shakes out and sees some increased tax (revenues) roll in, there’s more funding for the state than folks thought. So that means not only is there an increase in those general funds dollars, Minnesota also received a significant amount of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan.”

She says there’s partisan division regarding how those dollars will be spent.

Lonetti says the House Agriculture Committee met earlier today and went through their compromise agreement with the Senate that includes several Farm Bureau priorities.

“Including funding for broadband, inclusion of biofuels infrastructure funding to move Minnesota to increased use of renewable fuels, support for the food supply with earmarks for workforce, meat cutting and butchering programs.”

The special session begins today and Lonetti has heard it could last 10 to 15 days.

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