MN House Ag Committee Advances Ag Spending Bill

In St. Paul, the House Agriculture Committee passed a $169 million agriculture bill during the last week with a one-vote Republican majority. Committee Chair Paul Anderson sponsored the bill, which includes a $17 million increase in spending. Representative Rick Hansen was upset with the process, saying its “not normal.” Effective this week, Hansen will be the committee’s co-chair, but was in the minority when this bill came up for a vote. Hansen thought the spending increase was “reckless” because of the uncertainty over federal funding. “We have to help those who are not able to help themselves,” said Hansen. “We have to make choices because the budget is a moral document. Anderson defended the bill’s timing, citing delays caused by a DFL boycott earlier in the session. Anderson acknowledged the challenges facing farmers. “You can’t magically count on corn prices dropping from $7 down to $3.50 and your fertilizer bill doubling, and your chemical bill doubling.” Despite the contentious debate, the committee voted 7-6 to advance the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee.