Minnesota Soybean president concerned about state budget going into 2021 legislative session

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Minnesota Soybean president concerned about state budget going into 2021 legislative session

The president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers anticipates a unique state legislative session.

Jamie Beyer, who farms near Wheaton in west-central Minnesota, tells Brownfield the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cripple the state in a variety of ways.

“I think a lot of us fear that the Minnesota economy isn’t maybe as strong as some of the budget projections have been, so a lot of our efforts are going to be towards preserving different types of programs that benefit soybean growers in Minnesota.”

The legislature passed and Governor Walz signed into law full Section 179 conformity last fall, and Beyer tells Brownfield it needs to be rolled out properly.

She says preserving school bond referendum funds is another priority.

“(as well as) making sure that biodiesel is protected and enhanced if possible, those types of sort ‘of on the defense’ (approaches) when we’re under the threat of possible state budget cuts.”

The 2021 Minnesota Legislative Session began Tuesday with the House convening by Zoom and the Senate testing a hybrid model.

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