State's Budget Woes Require Farmer Engagement

When negotiations between the Minnesota House and Senate broke down last week, Governor Pawlenty did as promised and unalloted $281 million from the state's 2003 budget.

The cuts were as follows:

• $27 million from K-12 education
• $25 million from the State University System
• $25 million from the University of Minnesota
• $22 million from Health & Human Services
• $23 million from transportation
• $18 million from the criminal justice system
• $40 million from agriculture

"In looking at the disproportionate percentage that was absorbed by agriculture, a person might question its fairness," said Jerry Schoenfeld, MSGA lobbyist. "In reality however, the governor had few choices, as he could only recapture funds that had not yet been spent. Those funds had to be recaptured between February 1 and June 30. Unfortunately, agriculture has a disproportionate amount of expenditures that had not yet been paid out."

In the weeks and months ahead, it is very important for rural Minnesotans to be actively engaged in the discussions taking place at the capitol, as the legislature and the administration try to deal with the deficits projected for 2004 and 2005. MSGA will be monitoring the situation to make sure agriculture is treated equitably.