ST. PAUL – Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, will put his lifetime of experience in farming to work in a new capacity at the Capitol by chairing the House Agriculture Policy Committee.
Anderson has served on agriculture committees throughout his six years in office and Tuesday it was announced he will chair Agriculture Policy. He has been an advocate for people in the agriculture industry and the economy in Greater Minnesota in general in the Legislature. This includes initiatives to make propane more accessible, improve rail transit and to repeal taxes on equipment repair. He also has been vocal regarding the rising property taxes on agricultural land.
“One of the big things we plan to examine this year is the directives we receive from the Department of Agriculture regarding the timing and placement of fertilizer, as well as irrigation and water-related issues,” said Anderson, who recently was elected to his fourth term in the House. “Those are big deals out here and we will be taking a look at how we can make things better.”
Anderson also said he is interested in addressing a declining bee population where it relates to farming, discussing food labeling for genetically modified organisms and hearing ideas regarding unmanned aircraft used for scouting crops. Anderson said federal regulations largely will cover the latter, but wants to bring Minnesota to the forefront in enacting common-sense solutions for this advancing drone technology.
“I am pleased to serve as chairman of this committee and will continue working to represent the wishes of people in our part of the state and beyond,” Anderson said. “We have a lot of work to do and I encourage people in our area to remain in contact with me as we prepare for the 2015 session and as we get going in St. Paul.”
Republicans will assume the majority when the House convenes Jan. 6 and this week unveiled their new committee structure. One key change is the return of a stand-alone Agriculture Finance Committee after Democrats combined that panel with environmental and natural resources interests for 2013-14.
Anderson was an outspoken voice for maintaining a committee distinction between agriculture and other subjects. He said he looks forward to a structure where discussions pertaining to agriculture are once again held apart from the others. Rep. Rod. Hamilton, R-Mountain Lake, will chair the Agriculture Finance Committee.
“Agriculture is such an important issue in our state and it is good to have two farmers from rural Minnesota taking the lead on it,” Anderson said. “I am eager to partner with Rod over on the finance side as we address challenges regarding ag.”
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Rep. Paul Anderson’s legislative website (www.house.mn/12b) contains additional information. Anderson can be reached by emailing rep.paul.anderson@house.mn or by calling (651) 296-4317.