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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL)

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Update from Rep. Tabke: Rollercoasters and Food Supplies

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Tabke

Today in the House Labor Committee, Rep. Tabke and advocates presented legislation allowing Valleryfair and other amusement parks the flexibility they need to adapt ride operations while also ensuring the parks are managed in a safe and responsible manner. The legislation is in anticipation of a labor shortage brought on by a lack of J-1 Visas that typically help these parks operate. In what is already likely to be a financially difficult season for Minnesota’s amusement parks, this bill, SF 3358, is a common-sense way to provide some  help.

testimony

The bill has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, and unanimously passed out of the committee. Today’s hearing will be available on the House Public Information’s YouTube Channel. The bill has already passed through the Senate, and the same action in the House is anticipated. 

 

Minnesota’s Food Supply

Yesterday, Rep. Tabke and fellow members of the House Agriculture and Food Division received an update about COVID-19’s impact on Minnesota’s food supply from Thom Petersen, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), and Dr. Beth Thompson, executive director of the Board of Animal Health. A recording of the hearing is available here.

The Minnesota Legislature has been working closely with Governor Walz, MDA, and agriculture leaders to provide economic security and flexibility for farmers and producers, and implement strict public health guidelines at processing plants to prevent indefinite closures like the Smithfield plant in Sioux Falls, SD. 

COVID-19 has only compounded what was already a difficult time for our family farms, but as a result of the Legislature’s quick actions this session, farmer-lender mediations have been extended by 60 days, and farmers impacted by COVID-19 losses are now eligible to receive financial assistance from the Rural Finance Authority’s Disaster Assistance Loan Program. The Legislature also increased funding for Second Harvest Heartland to purchase and distribute milk and protein products such as pork, poultry, beef, dry legumes, cheese, and eggs, and distribute them to local food shelves to help Minnesotans facing food insecurity. 

In Other News:

  • We’ll be holding another Virtual Town Hall this Thursday, April 30, at 7pm. We hope to see you there!
  • Unemployment benefits are now available to self-employed and contract workers. You can find more information here.

 

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn

Eric Petersen, Legislative Assistant | Eric.Petersen@house.mn
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