My Commentary About the Future of Agriculture in Minnesota
On Dec. 9, Mitchell Hamline Law School published a commentary I wrote about the future of Minnesota’s agricultural economy and what the Legislature is doing about it.
Here is a short excerpt: “Minnesota’s farmers have faced an array of issues this past year, from weather-related property losses to destructive trade wars and another year of low commodity prices. The Midwest is witnessing the loss of dairy farms at an alarming rate. Optimism wanes as farmers face a multitude of issues, created by nature and weather challenges and compounded by man-made policies which have veered off-course from providing support to our agricultural economy.”
You can read the entire commentary here.
New Stateline Story About Farmer Mental Health
It’s no secret that for years our family farmers have battled a multitude of challenges that are shaking their livelihoods and mental health. State lawmakers like myself have listened to farmers’ heartbreaking personal stories at public hearings, on social media, in the news, and face-to-face at their kitchen tables. In response, Gov. Walz and the Legislature created new tools this year that lend a helping hand.
Stateline, a non-partisan publication founded in 1998 by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is out with a new story that examines mental health crises on America’s farms and public policy designed to provide compassion and support. I’m grateful Stateline highlighted our work in Minnesota to provide more mental health counseling and financial support, including my bill that created our new DAIRI program. You can read the entire Stateline story here.
New Budget Forecast
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) recently released a new economic forecast showing a positive budget balance. I stopped by KAAL-TV to share my perspective about this news and how it will inform the Legislature’s work in the 2020 session. You can watch my full interview here. MMB is scheduled to release its next economic forecast in February.
Connecting with Local Schools and City Councils
A big part of my job as a state legislator involves working with local elected officials like city councils and school boards to make sure our state government is doing everything possible to be a reliable partner. Minnesotans deserve strong schools and libraries, safe streets, beautiful parks and trails, safe neighborhoods, clean drinking water, and functional infrastructure. Cooperation and collaboration between state and local government can result in a better quality of life for everyone. That’s why I am devoting considerable time to listening and learning from our local officials. In recent weeks, I visited city councils in Grand Meadow, LeRoy, Mapleview, Rose Creek, and Waltham, as well as schools in districts that include Lyle, LeRoy-Ostrander, Grand Meadow, and Southland (Adams). Additional visits with other city councils and school boards are in the works.
Be Heard on Cannabis
On Dec. 7, I hosted House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler at Austin City Hall for an event called Be Heard on Cannabis, part of a larger statewide conversation to listen to Minnesotans’ perspectives about potentially changing our medical cannabis laws, and adult use cannabis laws, including decriminalization and/or legalization. The Austin Daily Herald published a story about the event that you can read here. If you were not able to attend, visit www.house.mn/cannabis to take a survey, or contact my office directly to share your thoughts or a personal story. Although I remain undecided about this issue, I am glad Minnesotans are having a thoughtful public conversation about it.
Stay In Touch
Please contact me with your questions and comments by email at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn, by phone at 651-296-4193, or by postal mail at 487 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative
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