From the Minnesota Broadband Coalition…

Legislators are back at the Capitol for a special session. Budget bills began to move through the process this weekend and we expect them to continue working through June 30. We can’t let them leave Saint Paul without funding for the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program!
Right now, leaders have agreed to put at least $70 million for the grant program in the bonding bill. This bill requires a supermajority approval, which means Republicans and DFLers must vote for it.
We need your help! Please contact your legislators and urge them to pass a bonding bill that includes at least $70 million for broadband funding during the special session. Make sure to let them know you don’t want to see any changes to broadband policy language, too! The Coalition has opposed the proposed policy changes like adding “fixed wireless” to state broadband definitions.
We are asking you to email your state senator and your state representative TODAY and urge them to pass a bonding bill during the special session.
Tell them:

• Keep their promise at the end of regular session to put $70 million in the grant program.
• Around 157,000 Minnesotan households lack access to the lowest speeds considered broadband.
• Pass a clean funding bill without any policy changes.
• Without a bonding bill, the broadband grant program will have no funding and rural Minnesota will continue to be left behind.
• Tell them your broadband story! If you have broadband, let them know how it has improved your life. If you don’t, tell them how it would help you and your community.

Contact Info

Please email your local legislators and the four legislative leaders

• Find your local legislators’ contact information here.
• Email the four legislative leaders here.
  • Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka
  • Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
  • Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent
  • House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt