Dear Neighbor,
This was a fairly quiet week on the House floor as most of our energy is being spent working on bills in the committee process in preparation for the first round of deadlines in early March.
The Ways and Means Committee I chair approved an important bill related to an agricultural development loan program this week and it is set to arrive on the floor for a full vote in the coming days. The bill appropriates $35 million to the Rural Finance Authority for loans to eligible farmers.
These bonds are 100-percent user-financed, meaning the state will be paid back.
Programs offered by the RFA have been widely popular since the mid-1980s. Rather than making loans directly to farmers they are made by community banks who also have to put in significant capital of their own as a partner in making the loan.
As for other news, I attended a meeting of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities this week. Just as with everyone else, the group is interested in the state’s new two-year budget we are busy working to assemble.
I mentioned last week that Gov. Mark Dayton recently outlined his proposal. The House is making preliminary progress on formulating a plan, although our proposal will not come together in firm fashion until after the February budget and economic forecast is issued. I met this week with state officials who compile our state’s forecasts to get up to speed on their prep work. It will be good to receive their official numbers in the coming weeks so budget planning can begin in earnest.
Look for more news as issues develop in St. Paul. Until next time, enjoy your weekend and your correspondence on the issues is welcome.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jim Knoblach