Rather than start laying down the law about the habits of baboons on the subject of farm bill strategy, I thought I'd just toy with a part of the bill and see where it gets me.

Yesterday, Sally Jo Sorensen scribed a piece on one section of the bill, §123, which preempts state or local law restricting the commercial use of anything that USDA has said is fine and dandy. Like GMOs.

Her particular MN angle is that, last month, the gov signed into law a bill banning (or otherwise restricting the use of) genetically modified wild rice. Apparently, MN Indian tribes lobbied for the provision: some of them have gaming interests, which may make backing their demands with moolah that little bit easier.

MN is not alone in legislating to restrict GMOs: according to the FDL piece she links, there is such legislation (state or local) in force in (parts of) 16 states.

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Today, at events in Marin and San Francisco, I announced my candidacy for State Senate in 2008. I am running to offer voters a change and give voters a choice. The issues confronting us today are huge, from climate change to health care for all. We need new ideas, new leadership, and new approaches.

That’s why I want to reinvent the office of State Senate. I want to bring together communities of interest to work on solutions. To that end, this month I’m going to initiate and lead a series of online discussions, what I’m calling “Communities of Interest Policy” talks. These talks will bring together citizens from Sonoma, Marin, and San Francisco to exchange ideas for addressing a variety of important issues, including transportation, the environment, housing, education and health care, among others.

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