The message is short, but sweet…
The Minnesota Broadband Bill was signed into law Monday (April 26, 2010) by Governor Pawlenty.
And just for the archive, here is the text that was presented to the Governor according to the Minnesota Session Law site…
CHAPTER 277–H.F.No. 2907
An act relating to communications; setting state goals for the deployment and speed of high-speed broadband; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 237.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:Section 1. [237.012] BROADBAND GOALS.
Subdivision 1. Universal access and high-speed goal. It is a state goal that as soon as possible, but no later than 2015, all state residents and businesses have access to high-speed broadband that provides minimum download speeds of ten to 20 megabits per second and minimum upload speeds of five to ten megabits per second. Subd. 2. State broadband leadership position. It is a goal of the state that by
2015 and thereafter, the state be in:
(1) the top five states of the United States for broadband speed universally accessible to residents and businesses;
(2) the top five states for broadband access; and
(3) the top 15 when compared to countries globally for broadband penetration.
Subd. 3. Annual reports. The commissioner of commerce must annually by February 10 report on the achievement of the goals under subdivisions 1 and 2 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over telecommunication issues. The report on goals under subdivision 1 must be made through 2015.
Blandin on Broadband 
Here is the official news from the Session Daily: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/sessionweekly/art.asp?ls_year=86&issueid_=58&storyid=1877&year_=2010
For a little more background, read Rick King’s editorial in the Grand Forks Herald. He does a nice job of highlighting the potential impact on rural Minnesota: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/159821/
Pingback: Rural Minnesota needs bigger boost « Blandin on Broadband
Pingback: USF tool for reaching MN broadband goals « Blandin on Broadband
Pingback: Sheldon Johnson on Minnesota’s broadband potential « Blandin on Broadband
Pingback: Local Providers serving Minnesota « Blandin on Broadband
Pingback: Northwest Minnesota focuses on broadband « Blandin on Broadband
We don’t want to be left out! Residents along Deer Drive on the east shore of Long Lake are not served by ACS, as they have essentially “cherry-picked” easier access to potential customers around Long Lake. So, we just have the old copper phone lines by Quest and see no future for decent internet access. Please be sure to include Deer Drive residents at Long Lake in Hubbard County. Thank You!
Ken,
I wish I could make some promises – but I’m just the messenger – however I think it’s very powerful for policymakers to hear from folks who are left unserved!
Thanks! Ann