Policy Articles
Protect the Farm Safety Net
Published April 21, 2022
Minnesota farm industry leaders want crop insurance protected in the next farm bill. They also oppose tying conservation program participation to crop insurance benefits. These farm bill priorities were highlighted in a meeting with Minnesota Senator Tina Smith at the…USDA Launches Rural Partners Network
Published April 20, 2022
The USDA has a new program called the Rural Partners Network. The program will help rural communities get access to government resources. According to Senior Administration Officials, there will be on-the-ground staff to help communities navigate finding the right federal…Pipeline Proposal Prompts Private Property Rights Plea
Published April 20, 2022
Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed pipeline would gather carbon dioxide from 31 ethanol plants before sending it to western North Dakota for permanent underground storage. This pipeline would be the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project to date. Ohnstad Twichell…Lawmakers File WOTUS Amicus Brief
Published April 20, 2022
More than 200 members of Congress have signed a friend-of-the-court brief in a case that is pending before the Supreme Court. This case centers on the definition of the waters of the United States.Ex-EPA Chief Seeks Senate Seat
Published April 20, 2022
Former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt wants to be Oklahoma’s next senator. Pruitt is one of 14 Republicans seeking the nomination. Pruitt resigned as President Trump’s EPA administrator in 2018 when faced with allegations of ethics violations.Ag Plan Merged with Two Other Spending Bills
Published April 20, 2022
The agriculture, housing and broadband supplemental spending bills have been combined into one huge omnibus bill. The bill was approved in the Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee and sent to the House floor. The agriculture portion of this legislation…$7.4 Billion Spending Target
Published April 20, 2022
The Minnesota House DFL majority has established a $7.4 billion spending target for the biennium. The budget increase passed by a party-line vote in the House Ways and Means Committee. The state has a projected $9 billion surplus, but House…Biden Reverses Trump Environmental Regs
Published April 20, 2022
The Biden administration is reinstating a series of environmental regulations that were changed during the Trump presidency. In 2020, the process for environmental reviews was streamlined. The Biden team said the restoration of these environmental safeguards will provide regulatory certainty.…SHIP IT Act Introduced
Published April 19, 2022
Minnesota Representative Michelle Fischbach and Florida Representative Byron Donalds have introduced legislation to reduce the supply chain backlog. This bill calls for the modernization of the ports and a waiver to allow individuals younger than 21 to qualify for commercial…