Agriculture money released

Reversing course, Gov. Rod Blagojevich agreed Thursday to release state money to agriculture programs, although it was not clear if agencies would get all of the $36 million that had been tied up in a state budget standoff. The governor reached the decision after state senators complained about the impact on everything from 4-H youth programs to agriculture research, said Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff. "We understand they are important to their communities and we support them as well. We'll release the agriculture grants," Ottenhoff said, although she could not say exactly how much of the nearly $36 million in operating funds would be released. The Democratic governor originally withheld the money to help fill a $750 million hole in this year's state budget.