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Wisconsin Farm Bureau hopes Legislature finishes ag bills in time

Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s government relations director Jason Mugnaini says several state bills would benefit farmers if the Legislature can pass them before the session ends. He tells Brownfield, “Things like agricultural market development, stability back home on the farm from rules and regulations, even including things like health care. There are some real serious challenges that agriculture is facing, and we’re navigating a moment right now where we have to be sure decisions are being made correctly.”

Mugnaini says one of the pressing issues farmers face now is health care. “With the slimming down of the Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, that problem is getting worse, and especially for farmers who have income volatility, so one year you might qualify for a subsidy under the Affordable Care Act, and the next year, you may not.”

Mugnaini says he’s hoping lawmakers pass a bill that would allow Farm Bureau Health Care coverage as an additional option for farmers, saying it’s already working in fourteen other states.

More than 300 farmers, agribusiness leaders, and legislators were in Madison Wednesday to lobby for more than two dozen bills during Ag Day at the Capitol.

AUDIO: Jason Mugnaini discusses several issues and pieces of legislation with Brownfield’s Larry Lee during Ag Day at the Capitol, held January 21st.