Blandin on Broadband

Thanks to The Bemidji Pioneer Press for keeping me up to the minute this week on the progress of the broadband study bill. I’m going to paste their info below. I wasn’t able to find much on the Legislative web site yet, but it can take a while. I have been following the story in earlier blog posts.

I think the Bemidji paper did a great job of capturing the range of legislative opinions on the bill.

Study controversial

Rural lawmakers were divided Monday over a House-approved plan creating a task force to study a statewide high-speed broadband Internet plan.

Some rural representatives said high-speed Internet options are limited in their areas. Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, said there are service “holes” all over her district. “I can’t get broadband, but my neighbor can,” she said.

Ultra-high speed Internet connections will be important to the state’s future, said bill author Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan. The bill, which passed 98-33, asks the task force to look at how both public and private entities could be involved in a statewide broadband plan.

Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, wanted the study just to look at the Twin Cities area, where interest originated. Howes said high-speed Internet options are available in his area of northern Minnesota.

“This is nothing more than a business plan for the state of Minnesota to develop Internet connections throughout the state,” added Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha. “Our private sector is taking care of this need; we need to let them do it.”