Ag crisis is biggest

challenge, Minge says

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- Facing a change of administration at the federal level, the 106th Congress is scheduled to reconvene Jan. 27, with many lawmakers facing full agendas and a possible compromise on a tax bill.

Second District Rep. David Minge, DFL-Minn., has traveled throughout the district during the recess gaining input from citizens and discussing major programs at the federal level that are scheduled for discussion, such as agriculture, social security, medicare and education.

The biggest challenge facing Congress in regards to agriculture is doing whatever it takes to end the hardship on agriculture in the midst of one of the largest crises in decades.

"We need to find the best program possible that won't translate into higher land rents for our family farmers," Minge said. "Transition payments have turned into payments for land rather than going toward the producers as originally designed."

Producers with payment limitations have a difficult time translating funds into higher payments for land.

"Trying to develop a program that offsets that will be difficult because the senate leadership does not think we need to change," Minge said.

One thing that hurts American farmers in the global economy is the strength of the American dollar as weighed against weaker currencies in other countries, he said.

"The market rate is not tracking the loan rate," he said. "It's frustrating to see organizations like OPEC being able to cooperate and get things accomplished," Minge said. "Progress in agriculture among English-speaking countries has been slow to change."

Minge, who is a member of the agriculture committee, is determined to fight dairy compacts and push to support the family farmers in Minnesota.

* The Social Security system, once a few minor changes have been made, has the income-generating capacity to be self-sufficient for another 75 years. In order for that to be a reality, however, it may require the federal government to change the retirement age from 67 to 69 years, Minge said.

"Social Security will also depend on the kids out there keeping it going, but then it's dicey for them," he said. "The thinking out there is we should be putting some fraction of the Social Security Trust Fund into the stock market and have a more diversified portfolio."

The Social Security Trust Fund, at the present time, is invested in government bonds that have a poor rate of return, he said.

"People have to ask Congress for Social Security changes and elected officials must make those changes even if it will cost them their seat," he said. "The cost to make these changes is not substantial."

Minge said that the cost of living adjustment that is currently built into the Social Security program needs to be reevaluated.

* Another major focus for Congress is Medicare reform, which needs to be carefully protected for future generations of Americans, Minge said.

"In the process, however, we need to protect the seniors and rural providers who currently rely on Medicare," Minge said. "We have to take a hard look at the pharmaceutical companies and a ceiling should be put on what is paid for drugs."

* Another focus for Minge is education reform. He recently took the opportunity to visit programs in New Ulm and Sleepy Eye that have proven successful in helping at-risk students and those not up to the same level with their peers.

"The class-size reduction effort continues and post-secondary support will continue at a higher rate than expected," Minge said.

While attending meetings throughout the 2nd Congressional District, Minge faced low attendance, stating it was possibly apathy that kept people away from public meetings.