Dear Neighbor,
Before we get into legislative news, I want to recognize Pope County Sheriff Deputy Josh Owen, who was killed in the line of duty Saturday in Cyrus. His funeral will take place this Saturday.
As I traveled I-94 to St. Paul earlier this week, nearly every overpass and freeway entrance was lined with police cars, firetrucks and EMS vehicles awaiting the caravan escorting Deputy Owen on his last voyage home. Lights were flashing, flags were raised and members stood at attention to honor a true hero.
Heartfelt condolences to his friends, family and co-workers, and may Deputy Owen rest in peace.
Veterans bill sparks bipartisan spirit
The Minnesota House this week approved a veterans and military affairs finance package that is a good example of how bipartisan results can still be achieved if we put people over politics.
The vets bill (H.F. 1937) funds Minnesota’s National Guard members and veterans after their service to our state and nation concludes, with omnibus appropriations for the state’s next two-year budget cycle. It passed on a 131-0 vote and is now in the hands of the Senate.
Overall, the bill provides $367.7 million for programs to help veterans over the 2024-25 biennium, a $167 million (52%) increase. This includes $73.3 million for the Dept. of Military Affairs and $294.3 million for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. This includes operational funding for three new veterans homes constructed in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston.
Unfortunately, ag bill strikes partisan tone
The House approved an omnibus agriculture finance bill on a party-line vote Thursday, departing from the norm on this portion of the state budget that typically enjoys broad, bipartisan support.
There are parts of the bill I support, but additional fees and regulations contained in this bill would make Minnesota’s farmers less competitive and less profitable at a time many already are struggling.
In general, the bill is more about what it does to farmers than what it does for them. There is a net increase of $13.6 million in fees, along with a provision that takes away tools farmers use to grow crops. Another measure in the bill waters down the Board of Animal Health’s structure in a way that our efforts to prevent and contain outbreaks in our animal herds could be compromised.
I am pleased the bill sets up a grain indemnity fund to protect farmers in the event they deliver grain to an elevator which files for bankruptcy before the farmer is paid. It’s a situation which has occurred in Minnesota and the bill appropriates $5 million to establish the fund. I hope a conference committee does good work on this bill so it comes back worthy of strong support for final passage.
Cutting out e-pull tabs?
House Democrat legislation that may come to the floor next week would effectively end electronic pull tabs as we know them, dramatically reducing revenue generated for local charities and other organizations.
Language in the majority’s omnibus tax bill (H.F. 1938) eliminates the “open all” feature that has been in use in electronic pull-tab games for years. This move would diminish charitable gaming funds these popular games produce, compromising a critical revenue source for local charities ranging from veteran organizations to youth sports teams, Main Street business partners and beyond. Click here for more in a press release I issued this week.
Look for more from the Capitol as we continue making our way through this year’s omnibus finance bills. As always, please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Paul