The Albert Lea Tribune posts a Senate Report by Senator Dan Sparks…

One need in rural areas that has been underscored by COVID-19 is broadband internet access. Never before has it been so clear that fast, reliable internet is a public good that every Minnesotan deserves. Yet, thousands of people continue to lack access to broadband, including many students who have now switched to distance learning and patients who must use telemedicine to see their doctor.

On Monday, the Senate moved forward on legislation to help address some of these issues. The bill creates a long-distance learning broadband access program through the Department of Education to provide access to those students with internet access issues during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. It also establishes a telemedicine equipment reimbursement grant program for eligible applicants to acquire telemedicine equipment to serve patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also provided an additional $10 million for border-to-border broadband grants targeting unserved areas.