The Voice of Alexandria reports…

Value-added agriculture, farm mental health, and more options for affordable housing are features Republicans highlight in a 258-million-dollar bill passed in the Minnesota Senate.  There’s also money for expanding broadband Internet access in Greater Minnesota and Elbow Lake Senator Torrey Westrom says “30-million dollars in a strong investment.”  Governor Walz has 70-million his budget, but Westrom claims it’s couple with significant tax increases.  Westrom says the bill also includes loans and grants to help small farms upgrade technology, and funding for a “soybean innovation campus” in Crookston.

It’s worth nothing that the House has currently proposed $70 million for broadband.

The Neighbor (out of Wadena) also reports…

The Minnesota Senate passed bipartisan legislation to fund agriculture, rural development, and affordable housing in Minnesota.

The comprehensive budget bill places an emphasis on rural broadband expansion, invests in affordable manufactured housing and home ownership, prioritizes value-added agriculture opportunities that directly impact farmers and increases resources for farmer mental health services.

Following the passage of the bill, Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, issued the following statement. …

The bill also funds the Minnesota Border-to-Border Rural Broadband expansion program at $30 million, a significant increase in the legislature’s appropriation over the last biennium.