Ag Budget Clears MN Senate

The Senate passed the agriculture budget bill with 43-23 margin. Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam said this budget invests in emergency preparedness, meat and dairy inspection, wolf and elk depredation, and mental health. The bill differs from the House version. “I’m not a partisan guy, but we acted like grown-ups, and the House did not,” said Putnam. “My budget target was negative so I had to cut some stuff and move some stuff around to put more money in different places. You’ll see a big difference with the House target, which was an additional $17 million in brand-new spending. I don’t know where they got it from, but, we tried to do as best as we could while trying to be as fiscally responsible.” The Red River Farm Network asked Putnam how those differences can be resolved in the conference committee. “I have no idea, man,” was the response. “It’s going to be a mess.”