healthcare
MFU sets priorities for the 2009 state legislative session
St. Paul (December 29, 2008) -Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) considers the agricultural budget; correcting problems with Green Acres; and addressing health care as its top issues for the state Legislature in 2009, which convenes in St. Paul on January 5th.
"There is no doubt that with a $5 billion deficit, the budget will be the issue everyone is focused on this session," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "Ensuring that agriculture, and rural Minnesota is treated fairly in that process will be MFU's top issue for this session."
The agriculture portion of the state budget is less than one half of one percent of the entire state budget. The agriculture portion of the budget contains funding for: dairy, organic, ethanol, and sustainable programs; bovine tuberculosis eradication; county fairs; and dairy and beef inspection programs.
MFU will also focus on correcting changes made to the Green Acres property tax program, which passed last year with many unintended consequences. While MFU favors a full repeal, it will also focus on addressing transfers; and allowing non-productive land to be allowed as long as it is attached to some farmed land.
Minnesota Farmers Union sets priorities for the 2009 state legislative session
St. Paul (December 29, 2008) -Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) considers the agricultural budget; correcting problems with Green Acres; and addressing health care as its top issues for the state Legislature in 2009, which convenes in St. Paul on January 5th.
"There is no doubt that with a $5 billion deficit, the budget will be the issue everyone is focused on this session," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "Ensuring that agriculture, and rural Minnesota is treated fairly in that process will be MFU's top issue for this session."
The agriculture portion of the state budget is less than one half of one percent of the entire state budget. The agriculture portion of the budget contains funding for: dairy, organic, ethanol, and sustainable programs; bovine tuberculosis eradication; county fairs; and dairy and beef inspection programs.
MFU will also focus on correcting changes made to the Green Acres property tax program, which passed last year with many unintended consequences. While MFU favors a full repeal, it will also focus on addressing transfers; and allowing non-productive land to be allowed as long as it is attached to some farmed land.