Minnesota House passes legislation concerning help for farmers, students and many others impacted by COVID-19

The Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division last week advanced additional resources to help farmers who are impacted by COVID-19, including another extension of the deadline for farmer lender mediations.  Lawmakers approved all legislation with unanimous support.  State District 27B Representative Jeanne Poppe, DFL’er from Austin stated to KAUS News that the bill will help veterinarians prepare for African Swine Fever if it comes to the United States, and she added that it will also increase funding for farm advocacy, mental health for farmers and farm safety…

Of particular importance, division members approved legislation authored by Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL-Northfield) that extends the deadline for farmer lender mediations. Extending this deadline buys time for farmers who are unable to participate in face-to-face mediations due to public health guidelines.  Also last week, the Minnesota House passed the COVID-19 Economic Security Act, which delivers much-needed relief to thousands of Minnesotans experiencing difficulties during the pandemic, including students who depend on broadband access to connect to their schools and teachers.  Representative Poppe talked further about what the legislation all entails from St. Paul…

The legislation also appropriates $55 million to the Small Business Emergency Loan Program at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which was launched by Executive Order 20-15 from Gov. Walz on March 23. The program’s original $30 million has since been exhausted.