Senator Marshall visits JC

Thirty-three Jewell County residents attended the meet and greet with Senator Marshall which was held at the Mankato Community Center Thursday morning.

The meeting began with Senator Marshall acknowledging the Veterans in attendance, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was held. Afterwards the names of the 13 service men and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan were read.

Senator Marshall was asked about data on the 30 by 30 land grab. The 30 by 30 land grab is a federal push to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Right now, it's about 12 percent. Within the next 10 years the federal government hopes to transition nearly 440 million acres into federal protection. This means a landform about the size of Texas would be a part of this plan by 2030. (The Hutchinson News, April 2021). Senator Marshall said he is against the 30 by 30 plan. He said the conservation was vague in Biden's executive order.

Marshall said China is like a loan shark in that using Chinese labor, we have to share technology with them. For example, if America was going to build an ethanol plant in China, we would have to share that technology with them. Marshall said legislation was recently passed in the house that would bring semi-conductor manufacturing back into this country.

Marshall was asked if he believed people should have a choice on whether they get the COVID vaccine and if each individual should get respect no matter their decision on vaccine and mask wearing. In the same question, the attendee brought up the COVID passports that are being talked about in other states. Marshall said he is against mandates. He agreed everyone should get respect regardless of their choice. He said he doesn't see the benefit of getting the vaccine if you have already had COVID.

Marshall closed the meeting by informing the attendees he believes there were no steps skipped during the process of the FDA approving the vaccine.