The Broadband Day on the Hill featured highly in last week’s email newsletter from Representative Layman, author of the broadband funding bill in the House…

Yesterday was a lively day at the Capitol as it was Broadband Day on the Hill. I spoke with broadband advocates working with the Rural Broadband Coalition in the morning, and presented my bill to fund and expand broadband internet access throughout rural Minnesota. I wanted to say a special thanks to Gary Johnson of Paul Bunyan Communications, Brent Christianson, Minnesota Telecom Alliance, student Hannah Erickson of Evergreen High School, Eric Klindt, business owner and Wilkin County Commissioner and Nancy Hoffman, Chair of the Rural Broadband Coalition for helping me testify in favor of this bill.

Lack of high-speed internet connections continues to be a significant issue in parts of our area. This is an economic development issue, but also something I hear from Minnesota families who just want the same ease-of-access as many in our state.

My hope is to see a continued investment in bringing more broadband access to rural households.