Legislative Update: COVID-19 relief efforts continue in Washington, St. Paul
By Amanda Bilek, senior public policy director for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Since Congress approved and President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) act in late March and directed additional funds to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19, ideas have been circulating about how to get assistance out the door to farmers.
Late last week, President Trump directed USDA Secretary Perdue to use available USDA resources to develop a program including direct assistance and other supply chain stability measures to help farmers negatively impacted by COVID-19. According to recent reports, it is possible that later this week or next week USDA will be outlining a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for this program. We will be awaiting details and will share them with you as soon as we have more information.
In addition to direct aid for farmers, members of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation, have sent bi-partisan letters with House and Senate colleagues to Secretary Perdue asking USDA to direct funding from the CARES act to provide relief for ethanol plants.
In the House, Chairman Collin Peterson, as a co-chair of the House Biofuels Caucus, led a sign-on letter effort with Minnesota Congressional members Jim Hagedorn, Angie Craig and Tom Emmer adding their names in support. A similar bi-partisan letter in the Senate was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) appreciates their advocacy in support of Minnesota’s biofuel sector during this difficult and challenging time.
Also at the federal level, discussions among the White House, and House and Senate leaders are on-going about additional assistance for the Small Business Administration (SBA). High demand for SBA programs, including the Paycheck Protection Act, which were allocated $350 billion in the CARES act, is quickly being subscribed and additional resources will be needed. MCGA has previously shared information about these programs, through which farmers and cooperative businesses are eligible to apply for funds.
Activity continues in St. Paul
At the state level, the Minnesota legislature was in session Tuesday to pass its fourth COVID-19 specific bill. The bill included policy specific provisions and passed the House by a vote of 103-31 and the Senate by 64-3. Included in the bill were a few provisions relating to agriculture.
- Increase the appropriation to Second Harvest Heartland by $1.2 million to purchase milk, cheese, pork, poultry, beef, eggs and dry legumes for charitable organizations and food shelves.
- Extend farmer-lender mediations by 60 days for pending and new cases to enable the opportunity to meet face-to-face when discussing difficult issues.
- Issue new commercial drivers’ licenses (CDL) during peacetime emergency using alternative certification methods for ensuring personal safety and social distancing guidelines.
Seasonal CDL renewals and new licenses had been a concern raised by several agricultural groups and interests during the start of the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. For seasonal CDLs renewal there is an online system at the Department of Public Safety’s website.
We will continue to keep you updated on policy developments in Washington or St. Paul during this time. We will also be sure to include resources on the MCGA COVID-19 resource page.
Be sure to follow the MCGA blog and its social channels (Facebook, Twitter) for updates. You can also follow me on Twitter (@AjBilek).
