In the upcoming 2013 session, the rural voice will be greatly diminished by the metro influence–especially in the area of agriculture. Rep. Rod Hamilton has proposed the following amendment, that I will be supporting, in an effort to get more reasonable representation in the agriculture committees.

As you know, one of every five Minnesota workers has a job that is directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Agriculture is a vital part of the Minnesota economy and we can credit agriculture for carrying the state through these tough economic times. So why is the new majority trying to minimize agriculture’s importance?

The new structure of the House Agriculture Finance Committee for the 2013-14 Legislative Session is of great concern. Minnesota now has Speaker-designate from Minneapolis, an incoming House Majority Leader from St. Paul, and an Agriculture Finance Chair from Minneapolis. The agriculture committee has been combined with other committees which is concerning – we must not diminish the role of agriculture.

Funding for the agriculture industry – as well as the rules under which they operate — is now under direct control of a Representative from Minneapolis.


In the upcoming session, we rural representatives will be facing the full force of legislation from the metro representatives. It will be a challenge to keep our rural focus on important matters like agriculture. Below you will find a letter detailing the changes to the agriculture committee structure. I will be supporting this proposed amendment.

In recent history, the House committee structure included separate committees for environment and agriculture. That tradition ensured that the agricultural community had a voice in one committee by combining policy and finance divisions.

The House DFL Majority will bring the official rules to the floor in early January. The rules of the House govern the committee structure in the House. This is an opportunity to change the rules to make sure we keep with the recent tradition of the House. During this time, I will be offering an amendment to the House rules to move the Agriculture Finance Committee accounts to the committee that will be chaired by Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin). Representative Poppe, has served on the Agriculture Committee, represents a rural area, and understands the importance of agriculture to the Minnesota economy.

During this process, the DFL leaders from Minneapolis and St. Paul will likely make a procedural motion to refer the amendment back to the House Rules Committee. I ask that you support my amendment by contacting rural legislators (both democrats and republicans) and sharing your support. The livelihood of those hardworking men and women in rural Minnesota and the greater agricultural community is counting on your support.