Coleman: Outlook good for farm bill

Ryan McGaughey

Worthington Daily Globe

WORTHINGTON — Sen. Norm Coleman remained optimistic Thursday that a new farm bill will be approved yet this year despite continued opposition from President Bush.

After the Senate passed a one-week extension of current farm law Thursday, Coleman spoke on that and other matters during a brief phone conversation with the Daily Globe.

“Today the Senate passed another short-term extension. … We kicked the can down the road one more week,” Coleman, a Republican, said. “We’re pretty close (to a new bill). A sticky point still relates to some Senate-ag tax provisions, and from the White House perspective, $10 million in the farm bill that’s above the baseline.”