Update from the House

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March 6, 2020

Friends, 

We had another busy week at the Capitol. We finally passed the Rural Finance Authority bill to help our farmers that we had tried to get moving in February, and I had a busy week in committee. Read a bit about each below and get out and enjoy the first 60 degree plus day of the year this weekend! 

Anti-Police Bill in Committee

During Public Safety Committee this week, we heard a bill from DFL Chair Carlos Mariani. It was a bill looking to set up standards for law enforcement that frankly were unworkable and would put law enforcement personnel in danger. It is a very anti-police bill that sets police up to fail in the public eye. Law enforcement personnel were not adequately consulted and their concerns about the bill language were ignored. The DFL and the author had the chance to lay this bill on the table, engage with law enforcement to come to a workable solution, and put together a bill that will actually help bring law enforcement and communities together. Instead, they refused. You can watch a video from committee above or here. I ended up getting a bit heated but I have grown tired of the attacks on those charged with keeping our communities safe.

RFA Bill Passes House

On Thursday, the House approved $50 million to replenish the depleted Rural Finance Authority loan funding to help farmers. House Republicans proposed bringing urgency to this issue in mid-February – before the RFA funding ran dry – to help farmers as they prepare for the new growing season. House Democrats blocked that effort and caused further uncertainty for farmers until bringing the bill to the floor this week.

RFA partners with agricultural lenders to provide low-cost financing to farmers on terms and conditions not otherwise available from other credit sources. The RFA portion of the loan is carried at a reduced interest rate to improve the cash flow of eligible farmers. RFA offer loans within the beginning farmer loan and seller assisted program, agricultural improvement program, debt restructuring program, and livestock expansion programs. 

Our farmers rely on these operating loans and they are paid back at nearly 100% rate. 

Rep. Nash with the owners of Waconia and Enki Brewing at the Capitol.

Rep. Nash with ABATE of MN - American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education

Rep. Nash with former Rep. Paul Kohls

Rep. Nash meeting with two doctors from Ridgeview

Please Contact Me

Please feel free to reach out to my office if there is any way I can be of assistance. My phone number is 651-296-4282, I am here to serve you!

Have a great weekend!

Jim

349 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.4282