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Minnesota Ag Commissioner looking for compromise as legislative session hits calendar deadline

Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture is looking for compromise as legislators are likely headed for a special session.

Thom Petersen tells Brownfield with the regular session scheduled to end today, Republicans and Democrats are not that far apart on ag policy.

“We really don’t have a lot of major differences (except) the dollar amount on a few things. Some of the (issues) that rise to the top are infrastructure for biofuels and E15, both bodies have that in. And more dollars for meat processing.”

He points out Minnesota is the only state with a divided government where the Republicans control the Senate and Democrats control the House.

“I always think that Agriculture is a bill that we can get done. It’s less than one half of one percent of the state’s budget, and we do get a lot of bang for our buck.”

Petersen says the Agriculture Bill in conference committee also includes funding to combat noxious weeds, dollars for value-added businesses, and more clarity on state hemp regulations.