Farmers Rally in Urgent Plea for Fiscal Relief

Thousands of farmers rallied at the state Capitol today to draw attention to their financial plight, and businesses and schools closed across the state so workers and students could attend.

The farmers and their supporters, many dressed in ski suits and stocking caps to ward off sub-freezing cold, were read a list of demands by representatives of Groundswell, the group that organized the event.

“Thousands have made the trip to the Capitol on one of the coldest days of the winter to demonstrate the urgency of the farm problem,” state Rep. Glen Anderson told a news conference as he announced plans for a tax-relief measure for farmers. “We must find the solution that will save the family farm.”

Emergency Relief Sought

Anderson said he would ask the state House to consider a package of emergency relief measures this afternoon that would eliminate the sales tax farmers pay on agricultural parts and machinery and provide farmers with $225 million in property tax relief.

The third part of the plan, Anderson said, asks Minnesota legislators to urge Congress to redesign the family farm bill to “preserve the family farm system.”

“These are just plain old American people going to St. Paul to reclaim social and economic justice,” Groundswell organizer Bobbi Polzine said. “This is a concerted effort because of our one common problem--we’re all broke.”