Over the weekend the Mankato Free Press posted an editorial supporting bipartisan funding increase for broadband…

While Republicans and Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature appear to be drawing familiar battle lines on tax and spending issues, both should get serious about a robust, significant and job-boosting broadband bill.

They include an update on what policymakers are planning this year…

This year the DFL House minority has proposed an outstate Minnesota package that includes $100 million for the broadband grant program. While the House GOP majority has not yet proposed a specific dollar figure, Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Ron Kresha, Fergus Falls, told The Free Press this year’s proposed budget for broadband would be “north” of the $10.6 million last year.

If that’s the case, the House GOP plan would be targeting a level somewhere over $20 million over two years.

And example of why this may be an uphill battle that may require educating the policymakers…

The Republican House majority resisted the entire program at one point with Jobs Growth Committee Chair Pat Garofalo suggesting broadband might soon be an outdated technology.