I’m glad to see that broadband is still a talking point for candidates. The Grand Forks Herald asked questions of the candidates running for office in the Minnesota’s legislative District 1…

Republican John Burkel, Democrat Mike Christopherson, Republican Steve Gander and Democrat James Sceville all seek the district’s two seats in the state House of Representatives. But there’s a twist: Burkel and Sceville are running for one spot to represent District 1B, while Christopherson and Gander are seeking the seat in District 1A.

Mike Christopherson was asked the following and brought up broadband:

If elected, do you expect to introduce or sponsor legislation in the coming session?

His answer ended with…

But there are other issues that lend themselves to a voice-of-reason approach. Affordable, accessible and excellent rural health care. Sufficient rural housing options for a variety of would-be homeowners and renters of varied incomes. Consistent broadband internet service no matter where in Minnesota you call home. Affordable, accessible licensed child care, and no overburdensome regulations that threaten to put current providers out of business. What reasonable person would be against any of these initiatives?

For me, this all adds up to rural vitality. People want to live here; we just need to make sure they have what they need in order to do so.

What is the biggest legislative concern facing District 1 at the moment? What should be done about it?

Let me go back to what I mentioned in part of my answer to question No. 1: We need to make sure that in District 1B communities we have the resources and services and amenities that individuals and families want and need so that when they decide that they want to live in the communities of our district, they are actually able to follow through on that decision and make it a reality. It is at the very least a massive missed opportunity if a young family — due most likely to an employment opportunity, but it could be for almost any reason — wants to live in a city or town in District 1B and then realizes it’s simply not possible because the community lacks sufficient housing options, lacks health care access, doesn’t have the licensed child care that the family needs or lacks sufficient broadband internet service. There are good-paying jobs in our District 1B communities; are we up to the task of filling in the other pieces of the puzzle that will make individuals and families live here and grow our population?