Local state senators back ag budget billFree Access


Sen. Julie Rosen

Sen. Bill Weber

Local state senators say the agriculture budget bill approved by the Senate last week is focused on helping Minnesota farmers while also spurring innovation in the agriculture industry and providing resources for broadband expansion throughout the state.

“This is a bipartisan compromise that focuses on our shared agricultural and rural priorities,” local state Sen. Bill Weber, R-Luverne, said after voting for the bill last Wednesday. “We’re helping Minnesotan farmers and our rural communities by prioritizing innovative investment, mental health and broadband infrastructure to drive development across our state.”

Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, agreed.

“There are few things more important to the success of our state than a strong agriculture economy,” Rosen said after casing her vote for the bill last Wednesday. “This bill continues our rich tradition of ag innovation and provides resources for important priorities, like mental health support and broadband expansion to communities that need it most.”

Rosen, who represents eastern Jackson County in the state Senate, and Weber, who represents western Jackson County, said the legislation helps the agricultural community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by strengthening the ag sector supply chains and invests in helping more meat processing facilities expand and grow. Ultimately, they said, these investments will provide more jobs, improve processing efficiency and provide more purchasing options for consumers.

The Senate agriculture budget bill also gives historic funding to the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant program at $40 million over the next two fiscal years. This funding will develop permanent broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas.

Furthermore, the bill provides a multi-million-dollar grant to improve biofuel infrastructure by allowing gas stations to sell higher blends of biofuels. This investment is geared toward helping Minnesota continue to lead the nation in pioneering clean, homegrown fuels, like E-15. Additionally, the budget includes grants for farm safety equipment and allows the creation of a grain storage facility safety curriculum. Mental health outreach on farms and additional mental health services are also included, which continues funding for the existing 24-hour crisis hotline.

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