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Governor Walz Releases 2022-23 Biennium Budget

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz released a $52 billion budget proposal for the 2022-23 biennium. The proposal would raise taxes for corporations and the wealthy. It emphasizes small business support because of the coronavirus and provides an increase in the general fund for education. The Minnesota Agriculture Department’s budget proposal has a three-percent (about $4 million) increase from the previous biennium. Conservation efforts, trade, farmer stress efforts and more are included the budget proposal. Now, the Department will present the budget to state lawmakers. Read the proposal.

Walz Signs Executive Order to Help MN Agriculture

Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-27 to lift hours of service requirements for truck drivers transporting livestock feed or fertilizer, in order to support Minnesota’s agriculture community while they work to keep Minnesotans fed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
With the ongoing spread of COVID-19 there are heightened concerns within the agricultural industry about the decrease in the commercial driver workforce and the risk it poses to efficient movement of agricultural commodities. Executive Order 20-27 lifts certain regulations on hours of service, helping to facilitate safe and efficient movement of critical supplies.
 
“Minnesota agriculture is critical to both our economic health and our ability to keep Minnesotans fed and healthy during this pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “This measure will help ensure essential agriculture supplies can be transported quickly and efficiently.”
 
Minnesota is one of the top agriculture states in the country—ranking first in grain sales, second in hog sales, and fourth in dairy sales. Commodities such as animal feed and fertilizer are needed to ensure the continuity of essential farming activities and the supply of food in Minnesota and throughout the country.
 
This Executive Order will be effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. 

Governor Walz Issues Stay-at-Home Order

Governor Tim Walz has issued a two-week stay-at-home order for all Minnesotans. This executive order comes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, limiting citizen movement outside of their homes beyond essential needs. The executive order is effective this Friday, March 27 and will last for two weeks. Food and agriculture are among the list of “essential services.”
 
More #StayHomeMN FAQs

Disaster Designation Requested for 12 Minnesota Counties

A Secretarial disaster designation has been submitted for 12 northwest Minnesota counties. The request was sent to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue by Governor Tim Walz on Thursday. The letter asks for the federal assistance to help recover from recent weather events and agricultural losses. Last week, Governor Walz declared an emergency executive order that lifted restrictions for drivers hauling propane and liquid fuels.

Walz to Meet with NW MN Farmers to Discuss Harvest Delays

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen will be in East Grand Forks Tuesday to get a first-hand look at the extreme harvest conditions faced by area farmers. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Walz said his administration is looking for ways to assist farmers. “It may be regulatory relief on hours-of-service to propane haulers to truck weights to a possible disaster declaration.” An assessment is being made regarding a federal disaster declaration.