Dear Neighbors,
This has been a busy week around home, along with some (mostly) beautiful weather to enjoy in our area. Here's a look at a big issue in our area, as well some highlights of the agriculture legislation that we recently passed.
Mayo Restructuring of the Albert Lea and Austin Hospitals
Last evening, I attended the public forum at the Albert Lea High School. This forum was organized by the city of Albert Lea and the local Chamber of Commerce in order to allow local citizens the opportunity to ask questions of Mayo officials, as well as some of our local government leaders.
I'm sure most of my email subscribers who reside in the district have heard about the Mayo Clinic Health System plan to reorganize services between the Austin and Albert Lea campuses which will change the way some health care services are delivered to our community. Though the vast majority of these services will remain the same and take place in Albert Lea, there will be a very big difference for those who need to be hospitalized or for childbirth.
I understand the shock, fear, and concern that I have heard around the Albert Lea area, and I share some of those concerns. Our hospital has been a big part of our community for many years, and we do not want to lose this important asset for our area. At the same time, it's also critical that good, quality health care services are available in our area both now and in the future, and these are important things that we will need to consider and weigh as well. I have met with city and community leaders concerning this issue, and heard from many local residents as well. I have also been in touch with Mayo officials. I know the city is weighing various options and I will be there as a resource for them - and all of you - as needed.
Agriculture Legislation
Last week, I mentioned I wanted to make sure you’re aware of all the great things that became law this year. My plan is to send out weekly updates detailing some of the major provisions in a variety of issue areas. For the first update, I'd like to highlight agriculture - something that impacts so many in our area and our state. We had ag-related provisions in a number of bills, and I have highlighted some of them below. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but can give our area farmers an idea of how they might see benefit from this session.
- A tax credit to aid those beginning in the farming profession to help with the huge difficulties next-generation farmers face in acquiring farm land
- School building bond ag credit to reduce farmers’ huge share of school district debt service
- Will help 240,000 farmers across the state
- Increased funding to combat noxious weeds, invasive plants, and other pests to help protect our beautiful resources
- Includes $300,000 each year for noxious weed control
- Creates a research account for pollinator habitats that would include identifying best practices for pollinator habitat
- $150,000 for a tractor rollover protection grant to help schools seeking rollover protection funds
- Put a moratorium on controversial ditch mowing policies to give farmers, stakeholders, experts, and the Dayton administration time to come up with a better solution that respects our hardworking agriculture community
- Reforms and funding for Minnesota's buffer law, which retains water quality protections while allowing common sense adjustments for farmers
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) will now be able to approve alternate practices to meet local conditions
- A temporary waiver - for up to 8 months - will be available for those who cannot comply with the November 1, 2017 deadline for buffer installation on public waters
- $5 million from the Clean Water Fund will be available through SWCD's for cost share for landowners interested in technical or financial assistance to establish buffers or alternative practices
- $22 million of aid for SWCDs to implement buffer requirements
- Increased funding for school districts to compensate ag education teachers for their extended, summer work outside the scope of their educator salary so students can have the opportunity to access ag education during the summer months when agriculture education is at its optimal level.
This Weekend
I’ll send another update next week, and look forward to continuing to share all the great legislation from this year. In the meantime, here’s a link to a number of the laws from a variety of areas that go into effect tomorrow, July 1.
Have a great weekend, and of course, an amazing Independence Day!
Peggy