First District Congressional candidate Allen Quist visited Winona Wednesday and said he believes the so-called "farm bill" needs to be sent back to the House Agriculture Committee for repair.
       
Quist says the bill is financially irresponsible and unacceptable as it is. He says s
80% of the spending in the bill is for food stamps,  not conservation programs or farm programs.

According to Quist, the bill should be divided into two separate bills-one being a farm bill, the other being a food stamp bill.

Quist, who will face off in November against incumbent, Democrat Tim Walz,  says his top priority is to reign in federal spending that is out of control.

Quist told the crowd of about a dozen at the Country Kitchen, eligibility requirements for food stamps need to be revised so that married people and couples who cohabit are treated equally. He says it is easier to qualify for food stamps if you don't get married and that is a reason why 2/3 of food stamps go to unmarried people.