Yesterday, in Fables of the reconstruction: New Ulm Journal fact-checks Republican tax flight talking point, Bluestem looked at some analysis from the NUJ's Josh Moniz.
It's only fair to point out that in the same article, Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Rural Hanska) and Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) also broke with Republican ridicule of bee habitat legislation. Moniz reports:
Torkelson and Dahms also supported the legislation that plants new habitats for bees and provides efforts to research why the bee populations are dramatically dwindling. The legislation was a source of ridicule by some Republican legislators and political workers as an example of "overreach by the DFL."
Torkelson defended the legislation, which eventually passed in a omnibus bill, as essential for Minnesota's agriculture. He explained the bees pollinate one-third of all food crops. He said the ongoing phenomenon of bee habitats dying off or collapsing puts this important process at risk.
"I understand that at first, you can think, 'we have funding for bees?' But, the bees are vital for the state," said Torkelson.
He also said a large industry of bee keepers in Minnesota helps crops here in the summer months, then they take their bees down to states like Texas or California in the winter months. He said that helping the bees in Minnesota can have a large impact around the country.
The final bill seeks to have plants to provide food for bees planted in state parks and provides for reports on the issues facing the bee populations.
Kudoes for them for criticizing the talking point. However, Torkelson voted against the omnibus bill final report in the Minnesota House, while Dahms took a no vote in the Senate.
Photo: A honeybee helps an apple tree produce food.
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