Tester's chief of staff visits Sidney Sugars

In order to provide an update to his boss, Aaron Murray, chief of staff for Sen. Jon Tester, visited with Sidney Sugars’ officials and toured the factory on Thursday morning.

“I try to be where Jon Tester can’t in order to make him aware what’s happening in this huge state,” Murphy told the Herald.

Murphy remarked to the individuals attending the meeting at Sidney Sugars that Tester was “literally on his combine as we speak.” 

Dave Garland, general manager at Sidney Sugars, thanked Tester for his support of the sugar industry in the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill.

“We’re trying to make sure all the good stuff in the Senate’s bill stays in the final bill,” Murphy said, adding that the final bill is now being worked on by Senate and House leaders.

Garland added, “And we recognize his involvement with the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. He has helped our industry quite a bit.”

Discussion also took place regarding trade issues. Murphy noted that Tester, a Democrat, feels that Congress should have some oversight. During a roundtable event recently in Billings, Tester heard “quite loudly” about the possible impacts of a trade war.

“Farmers have a hard time finding markets,” Murphy said. “We are hearing from all sectors.” He mentioned that a lot of U.S. barley currently heads to Mexico, but now Mexico is considering getting barley from South America instead.

Scott Flynn, member of the Montana-Dakota Beet Growers, said that farmers agree that something needs to happen and they want a level playing field. He urged federal leaders not to stay with a partial agreement but get the system fixed.

When participants urged bipartisan work in Congress, Murphy noted, “Jon’s position is always trying to work together.”

Murphy added that partly because of Tester’s leadership, 10 bills from the Veterans Affairs Comittee have been signed by President Trump.

“Those things don’t tend to be on front pages, because there are so many other things going on,” Murphy said.

Sugar Beet News |
via KPVI https://www.kpvi.com
August 20, 2018 at 02:29PM