A 50-million-dollar infusion for the state agency that makes loans to farmers is the subject of a hearing this afternoon in the Minnesota Senate and tomorrow morning in the House. Republicans tried unsuccessfully last week for a vote on the House floor, warning the Rural Finance Authority is out of money. “If we can’t all rally around something like, we might just as well pack our bags and go home,” said Roseau Representative Dan Fabian. But Democratic Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said Republicans didn’t get an okay from leadership on fast-tracking the bill, which “suggests not urgency, but politics.” Winkler says, “Regular order of the House of Representatives can be suspended to take up urgent action when the homework is done, but right now the homework isn’t complete.”
Winkler added Democrats are committed to taking up a measure to fund the Rural Finance Authority.