State Legislators: Support agriculture request for discretionary funds

MADISON— State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and 35 other legislators sent a letter today to support agricultural industry requests for $50 million in direct cash relief from the $1.9 billion in discretionary funding provided to Governor Tony Evers in the Federal CARES Act.

The letter says:

“You recently received a memo from many organizations representing nearly every facet of agriculture in Wisconsin. These organizations have been working closely with your administration to support farmers and the agricultural industry throughout the COVID-19 response. They have been positively engaged, supportive and helpful.

However, we all recognize that agriculture has not received the same financial support and prioritization from the Federal CARES Act as other types of businesses.  This is why we strongly support the Ag-Industry’s request to provide Wisconsin farmers with $50 million in direct cash relief from the $1.9 billion in your discretionary funding from the CARES Act. 

As Governor, you have a very unique opportunity to dedicate these dollars however you see fit. We are asking you to prioritize agriculture and provide relief to the industry that is most in trouble right now.

As you know, agriculture has faced many years of lagging prices and hardships. Your own State of the State Address focused on agriculture and strategies to help farmers.  At the beginning of 2020, we all felt like things were looking up. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The Federal CARES Act has given you $1.9 billion to distribute however you want to do it. We strongly encourage you to renew your commitment to agriculture and provide direct cash relief to our farmers and one of the most important supply chains in our state.”

The letter was signed by: