JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A bill to create incentives for Missouri's dairy farmers has won approval from state senators.
Senators voted 32-2 Thursday for legislation that would provide subsidies to help dairy farmers pay for insurance. Other provisions include a scholarship for students studying farming and funds for research on the industry.
The bill now goes to the House, which already has given initial approval to its own version of the legislation.
Republican Sen. Brian Munzlinger, of Williamstown, says the bill is needed to keep Missouri's milk providers in business.
Critics say state government should not interfere with the free market or try to fix an industry regulated at the federal level.
Funds for the state incentives would have to be approved separately and would come from an existing sales tax on dairy products.