Town hall features variety of issues

Photo by Fritz Busch Sen. Gary Dahms talks at a town hall meeting at the Farm City Hub Club Farm Show at the New Ulm Civic Center Saturday.

NEW ULM — A variety of legislative issues were discussed for about 90 minutes by legislators and a couple dozen attendees at the Hub Club Farm Show town hall Saturday.

Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, said the Right to Repair bill, giving farmers the right to repair their own equipment without having to take it to a dealership, has been an issue for some time, between manufacturers who want to ensure things are safe and people who want to repair their own equipment.

The Minnesota Digital Fair Repair Act — SF 1598 and HF 1337 would make parts, tools, and repair documentation available to device owners and repair shops. The Fair Repair Act passed through a Senate committee and is said to have a good chance in the House.

“My understanding is at least for John Deere, a compromise has been reached to give up some proprietary information,” Torkelson said.

Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, and Sen. Nick Frentz, D-N. Mankato, said they think the bills will move forward.

“I’m glad to report there is bipartisan support. We’ve got to be able to repair cell phones. Off-road vehicles and agriculture equipment were taken out of the Senate version,” said Frentz.

Moderator Denny Schmidt of the Farm City Hub Club said GreenSeam is another legislative item worth mentioning that is helping expand the North Mankato soybean plant.

Frentz said GreenSeam has been a huge success that helps connect talents.

“We’re looking for workforce and ideas to get the best technology,” said Frentz. “Under the bill I’m carrying, the state of Minnesota would provide $300,000 to GreenSeam to leverage about $2.5 million. It can draw agriculture businesses to southern Minnesota.”

Torkelson said HF 695 carried by Luke Frederick of Mankato is a really good idea.

“If you drive by CHS today in North Mankato, you’ll see an extensive expansion project going on,” said Torkelson. “When the project is done, about 40 more semis a day will go to North Mankato.”

Dr. Ann Vogel of New Ulm raised the issue of financial support for nursing homes, saying there will be more elderly people with bed sores if more skilled nursing homes close.

“Why isn’t this on the legislative agenda?” said Vogel. “We planned to go to the Capitol (Monday, March 13) and were told we can’t see anybody because its (tribal) Sovereignty Day,” Vogel said. “If we lose more skilled nursing homes, disabled people may wind up going to North or South Dakota for beds.”

Frentz said deciding what goes first on the legislative agenda is a constant battle.

“Each committee needs targets to start spending money. I support getting them through faster,” said Sen. Dahms. “Many workers were lost during COVID. Lots of baby boomers retired.”

“This is about life and death,” said Vogel. “We have a big work force problem. Everybody is short staffed. We need to encourage people who retired to come back to work.”

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