Minnesota Legislature sends $1 million emergency bird flu funding to governor's desk

ST. PAUL — Both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature on Thursday, April 7, voted to send out $1 million to the Department of Agriculture to help combat the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Sen. Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, advanced an amendment to another bill that would approve the emergency funding to help detect and contain the illness that has already been found in 21 flocks in Minnesota, impacting more than 1 million birds.

The Senate unanimously approved the bill Thursday and all but one lawmaker in the House of Representatives voted in favor. Rep. Erik Mortensen, R-Shakopee, was the lone legislator to oppose the funding. The bill moves now to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/minnesota/minnesota-legislature-sends-1-million-emergency-bird-flu-funding-to-governors-desk