Monthly Archives: January 2025

MN Bill introduced: SF883 provide sales tax exemption for fiber and conduit used in broadband

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MN Senate Journal reports…

Senators Putnam and Westrom introduced–
S.F. No. 883: A bill for an act relating to taxation; sales and use; providing an exemption for fiber and conduit used in broadband and Internet access services; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 297A.68, by adding a subdivision.
Referred to the Committee on Taxes.

Current Version – as introduced

Line numbers1.11.21.31.41.5
1.61.71.81.91.101.11
1.121.13

A bill for an act
relating to taxation; sales and use; providing an exemption for fiber and conduit
used in broadband and Internet access services; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, section 297A.68, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 297A.68, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text beginSubd. 35b. new text end

new text beginFiber and conduit; broadband and Internet access. new text end

new text beginTo the extent not
exempt under subdivision 35a, fiber and conduit purchased or leased for use directly by a
broadband or Internet service provider, primarily in the provision of broadband or Internet
access services that are ultimately to be sold at retail, are exempt.
new text end

new text beginEFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text beginThis section is effective for sales and purchases made after July
1, 2025.

MN Bill introduced: SF868 allow MN Broadband grants to fund fixed wireless and clarifying mapping requirements

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MN Senate Journal reports…

Senator Wesenberg introduced–
S.F. No. 868: A bill for an act relating to broadband grants; allowing broadband grants to be used for fixed wireless broadband and clarifying broadband mapping requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116J.394; 116J.397.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development.
More details…

A bill for an act
relating to broadband grants; allowing broadband grants to be used for fixed
wireless broadband and clarifying broadband mapping requirements; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116J.394; 116J.397.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.394, is amended to read:

116J.394 DEFINITIONS.

(a) For the purposes of sections 116J.394 to 116J.398, the following terms have the
meanings given them.

(b) “Broadband” or “broadband service” has the meaning given in section 116J.39,
subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

(c) “Broadband infrastructure” means networks of deployed telecommunications
equipment and technologies necessary to provide high-speed Internet access and other
advanced telecommunications services for end users.

(d) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of employment and economic development.

(e) “Last-mile infrastructure” means broadband infrastructure that serves as the final leg
connecting the broadband service provider’s network to the end-use customer’s on-premises
telecommunications equipment.

(f) “Middle-mile infrastructure” means broadband infrastructure that links a broadband
service provider’s core network infrastructure to last-mile infrastructure.

(g) “Political subdivision” means any county, city, town, school district, special district
or other political subdivision, or public corporation.

(h) “Underserved areas” means areas of Minnesota in which households or businesses
lack access to wire-line or fixed wireless broadband service at speeds of at least 100 megabits
per second download and at least 20 megabits per second upload.

(i) “Unserved areas” means areas of Minnesota in which households or businesses lack
access to wire-line or fixed wireless broadband service, as defined in section 116J.39.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.397, is amended to read:

116J.397 UPDATED BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT DATA AND MAPS.

(a) Beginning in 2016 and continuing each year thereafter, The Office of Broadband
Development shall contract annually with one or more independent organizations that have
extensive experience working with Minnesota broadband providers to:

(1) collect broadband deployment data reflecting all broadband delivery technologies
from Minnesota providers, verify its accuracy through on-the-ground testing, and create
state and county maps available to the public by April 15, 2017, and each April 15 thereafter,
showing the availability of broadband service at various upload and download speeds
throughout Minnesota;

(2) analyze the deployment data collected to help inform future investments in broadband
infrastructure; and

(3) conduct business and residential surveys that measure broadband adoption and use
in the state.

(b) Data provided by a broadband provider under this section is nonpublic data under
section 13.02, subdivision 9. Maps produced under this paragraph are public data under
section 13.03.

EVENT Mar 13: Charting the Course: Adapting to Policy Shifts While Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize”

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Looks like a good event…

“Charting the Course: Adapting to Policy Shifts While Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize” promises to bring hundreds of digital inclusion practitioners together for the increasingly popular virtual gathering that aims to offer insights and ground-truth on how communities continue to their work in closing the digital divide at a time when the programs established to do so have been tossed into disarray.

Registration is now open here

Slated for March 13 from 3 to 4:15 pm ET, the upcoming live stream will once again be co-hosted by ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and sponsored by UTOPIA Fiber.

The livestream will be available (and later archived) on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn with live viewer questions answered by the invited speakers and presenters, which is still being finalized. We will also be live posting from the Community Broadband Networks Bluesky page.

Broadband Matters OBD Updates Jan 30, 2025: Pre-Qualification Portal is Open – Task Force meets Feb 13

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From the MN Office of Broadband Development…

Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates

  • BEAD updates + Pre-Qualification portal now open!
  • OBD weekly office hours registration
  • Digital Opportunity update
  • Broadband Task Force, February meeting plans
  • OBD is hiring – Broadband Environmental/Land Use Coordinator

BEAD updates + Pre-Qualification portal now open!

The Office of Broadband Development would like take a moment to acknowledge the current uncertainty in working with federal partners. The team remains committed to moving forward with the work given to us by the Minnesota Legislature, and to follow current guidelines administering federal programs, on behalf of all Minnesotans

Updates and additional resources on the federal BEAD program in Minnesota available on OBD’s BEAD webpage include:  

OBD weekly office hours registration

Register now for weekly office hours to hear updates on the federal BEAD program in MN, the BEAD prequalification process, and answer questions on the registration portal. Office hours will be Tuesdays at 11am and run through April 1. Registration is open for the sessions below:

Please email deed.broadband@state.mn.us with questions on the webinar or office hours.

Digital Opportunity update

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) recently released a new report titled The State of Digital Inclusion in the States. This report offers a comprehensive assessment and celebration of states’ digital opportunity work across six areas. Rather than looking only at state broadband offices, this research takes a broad approach, incorporating digital opportunity work occurring across state agencies. Minnesota is highlighted in the areas of affordability/adoption and data – OBD appreciates these efforts immensely as we all work toward a connected Minnesota. 

Broadband Task Force, February meeting plans

The Broadband Task Force will be meeting on Thursday February 13 at 10am. This meeting will be held virtually and is open to anyone from the public to attend. The Teams link to join the meeting will be included as usual at the top of the meeting agenda, which will be posted along with other information on past meetings on the Broadband Task Force webpage.

OBD is hiring – Broadband Environmental/Land Use Coordinator

Apply by February 7, 2025 for the Broadband Environmental/Land Use Coordinator position. This position is responsible for overseeing and coordinating professional program coordination for DEED’s state and federally funded broadband grant projects. Key duties include providing coordination, consultation, training, and technical guidance, as well as ensuring compliance with state and federal permitting laws and land use policies.

Find more information on the position and the application here: State Program Administrator Coordinator – Broadband Environmental/Land Use Coordinator – Job ID 83472

New MN City Credit River is looking at hiring a lobbyist

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The Minnesota Star Tribune writes about Credit River, a new MN city contemplating hiring a lobbyist. While, this isn’t directly related to broadband, I think the article points out a difficulty that smaller towns can have with fewer staff members than larger towns have when addressing so many issues, including broadband…

Credit River shed its township designation in 2021, incorporating as a brand-new Minnesota city sandwiched between Lakeville to the east and Prior Lake to the northwest.

Now, the city’s sewer and water lines are steadily aging, interim City Administrator Eric Johnson said. Nitrate pollution is impacting one development. And fixing those issues could add up.

So elected officials are mulling an idea some of their larger, neighboring cities have embraced for years: hiring a lobbyist — a professional presence at the Capitol who could help Credit River snag state money for its local infrastructure needs.

“We’re basically a new city, still, without a whole lot of services,” Council Member Jay Saterbak said at a recent meeting, before adding: “I think we should really consider finding other funding that’s outside that’s available to us. If it’s available to everybody, why shouldn’t we also take a look at that?”

Nearly 150 Minnesota local governments employed staff or hired contract lobbyists in 2023, according to a state auditor’s report. Those governments spent $7.6 million to pay lobbyists to promote their individual legislative wishes, while a collective $5 million funded their membership in lobbying groups, such as the League of Minnesota Cities.

And you can see above, the article quotes Perry Mulcrone, Scott County’s staff lobbyist, who also manages the county’s fiber network and broadband assets, which also hints at an innovative approach, find folks with many skills.

MN Bill Introduced: SF740 repeal certain labor standards requirements in MN broadband grant applications

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MN Senate Journal reports…

Senator Westrom introduced–​ S.F. No. 740: A bill for an act relating to labor; modifying grant award requirements for the​ border-to-border broadband development grant program; repealing certain labor standards for​ broadband industry installers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.395, subdivision 6;​ repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116J.395, subdivisions 9, 10; 216B.17, subdivision 9;​ 326B.198.​ Referred to the Committee on Labor.

Details on the bill…

Current Version – as introduced

Line numbers1.11.21.31.41.51.61.7
1.81.91.101.111.121.131.141.151.161.171.181.191.201.211.222.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.82.92.102.112.122.132.142.152.162.172.182.192.202.212.222.232.242.252.262.272.282.292.302.31
2.32
3.13.23.3

A bill for an act
relating to labor; modifying grant award requirements for the border-to-border
broadband development grant program; repealing certain labor standards for
broadband industry installers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.395,
subdivision 6; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116J.395, subdivisions
9, 10; 216B.17, subdivision 9; 326B.198.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.395, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Awarding grants.

(a) In evaluating applications and awarding grants, the
commissioner shall give priority to applications that are constructed in areas identified by
the director of the Office of Broadband Development as unserved.

(b) In evaluating applications and awarding grants, the commissioner may give priority
to applications that:

(1) are constructed in areas identified by the director of the Office of Broadband
Development as underserved;

(2) offer new or substantially upgraded broadband service to important community
institutions including, but not limited to, libraries, educational institutions, public safety
facilities, and healthcare facilities;

(3) facilitate the use of telehealth and electronic health records;

(4) serve economically distressed areas of the state, as measured by indices of
unemployment, poverty, or population loss that are significantly greater than the statewide
average;

(5) provide technical support and train residents, businesses, and institutions in the
community served by the project to utilize broadband service;

(6) include a component to actively promote the adoption of the newly available
broadband services in the community;

(7) provide evidence of strong support for the project from citizens, government,
businesses, and institutions in the community;

(8) provide access to broadband service to a greater number of unserved or underserved
households and businesses; or

(9) leverage greater amounts of funding for the project from other private and public
sources; or.

(10) commit to implementation of workforce best practices, meaning all laborers and
mechanics performing construction, installation, remodeling, or repairs on the project sites
for which the grant is provided:

(i) are paid the prevailing wage rate as defined in section 177.42, subdivision 6, and the
applicant and all of its construction contractors and subcontractors agree that the payment
of prevailing wage to such laborers and mechanics is subject to the requirements and
enforcement provisions under sections 177.27, 177.30, 177.32, 177.41 to 177.435, and
177.45, which the commissioner of labor and industry shall have the authority to enforce;
or

(ii) receive from the employer:

(A) at least 40 hours of hands-on skills training annually;

(B) employer-paid family health insurance coverage; and

(C) employer-paid retirement benefit payments equal to no less than 15 percent of the
employee’s total taxable wages.

(c) The commissioner shall endeavor to award grants under this section to qualified
applicants in all regions of the state.

(d) The commissioner shall endeavor to award no less than 50 percent of grant awards
from general fund appropriations for the border-to-border broadband grant program under
section 116J.396 for applicants that agree to implement the workforce best practices in this
section. The applicant’s agreement to implement the workforce best practices described in
paragraph (b) must be an express condition of providing the grant in the grant agreement.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective January 1, 2026.

Sec. 2. REPEALER.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116J.395, subdivisions 9 and 10; 216B.17, subdivision
9; and 326B.198, are repealed.

MN bill introduced: S.F. No. 843: increase State match in Lower Population Density grants to 90 percent

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The MN Senate reports...

Senator Hauschild introduced–
S.F. No. 843: A bill for an act relating to broadband; modifying matching requirements for the lower population density grant program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.3952, subdivision 2.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development.
It would increase the grant amount in Lower Population Density grants to 90 percent of costs…

A bill for an act
relating to broadband; modifying matching requirements for the lower population
density grant program; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.3952,
subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.3952, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Grants.

Grants awarded under this section may fund up to 75 90 percent of the
total cost of a project and must otherwise adhere to section 116J.395, subdivisions 1 to 6
and subdivision 7, paragraph (b).

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2025.

Broadband Presentation to MN Senate Committee on Ag, Vet, Broadband and Rural Dev (Jan 29, 2025)

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Today the MN Seante Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development heard from the Office Broadband Development, Minnesota Telecom Alliance and MN Cable. Below I have shared a video of the meeting, PPTs slides (using PPT made available through the Committee when possible) and some notes and questions from the presentations. (I will replace livestream link with archive to specific meeting when available. Broadband is the first topic discussed about 15 minutes into the livestream.)

OBD outlines their plans, which haven’t changed. MTA and MN Cable discuss their concerns and hopes for broadband funding in MN. MTA outlines the reason their members are not interested in applying for BEAD awards.

Office of Broadband Development Presentation:

Questions:

  • There’s anxiety about federal funding. DO you have a plan considering the current situation?
    There is confusion. We await guidance from our federal partners. Until then, we stay the course.
  • What about regulations for installers?
    Our role is to carry out laws. We talk to everyone on clarity. We try our best to provide education and resources. With federal dollars, we know there are some concerns with BEAD rules (low-cost options and installer regulations). We carry out rules of NTIA.
  • So in the last year, we have connected 19,000 in the last year? And 40,000 in the year before? Are they really connected?
    In it a combination or private, federal and state funding that got these folks connected.
    I want to know how many people have been connected.
  • BEAD funding is $650M – how are houses counted eligible?
    That’s according to Feds. We and they knew the maps were not correct and that’s what we had a challenge process.
  • 89,000 locations are eligible to get BEAD funding. What’s the next step? What do those people need to do?
    We will hold subgrantee application rounds – three of them where providers can submit bids. In final round we will have to look at alternative broadband providers if no fiber bids come in. NTIA has to approve any waivers. The rule is that everyone needs to have a provider.
  • So we have 4 years to dole out funds?
    We have to show that everyone gets connected.
  • What about the reverse auction? Is it working?
    It has been effective. We have had good applications. It was over-subscribed. The Line Extension builds off success of other state grants.

MN Telecom Alliance Presentation:

Why are MTA members not interested in applying for BEAD?

  • NTIA rules require that NTIA has a lien on any facilities put into the ground – members banks will have a problem with that.
  • Requirement of open access does not interest these providers.
  • Requirement environmental/archeologic permit approval before grants are awarded
  • Required self-funding low-cost program will not work for smaller providers
  • Prevailing wage can be a problem because the telecommunications jobs have not been well classified, which can lead to overpayment for some jobs.
  • New data-reporting requirements are a hinderance
  • New certification programs are a hinderance – also leads to extra training to develop and offer

Solution?
We need to incentivize rural providers to build broadband. We need to go after the bad actors – through office of pipeline safety and others.

MN Cable Presentation:

Hindrances

  • Industry taxation could hinder growth.
  • Required permitting is slow and uncertain.
  • Roll out has been slow and leads to uncertainty but MN Cables are interested in applying.

Questions:

  • On challenges and regulations passed last year. How will that impact you and broadband deployment?
    Significant challenges. My member do not plan to patriciate in BEAD. That leaves only US ReConnect.
    We are worried across the board with restrictions fitting in training, seasonal building restrictions and deadlines.
  • We are starting with safety first. We want to get broadband to everyone. We will keep talking.
    We know there are bad actors and we have to go get them.
  • Projects that are midway done – if they go past June 30 – they need to adhere to these new regulations?
    Yes – and we can’t meet deadlines and complete training. Especially with our shorter construction season.

EVENT Feb 3: Consider Affordable Broadband State-By-State

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An invitation from the Institute for Local Self Reliance…

As other states consider filing or supporting legislation similar to New York’s Affordable Broadband Act that requires large broadband providers to offer a low-cost plan for low-income households, ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative is hosting a special live forum focused on what New York lawmakers did with the law and the ripple effects it has created.

“Consider Affordable Broadband State-By-State” will be held live on Monday February 3rd from 3:00 to 4 pm ET on ILSR’s YouTube channel.

The agenda will focus on what New York’s affordable broadband law includes and what other states may want to consider in crafting similar legislation.

The livestream will be free to any interested participants. It can be viewed here.

Bring your questions as the live forum will hold space for Q&A.

Ahead of the live stream, you can read our analysis and our fact sheets on the law here and here.

FCC Chair ends required environmental reviews for infrastructure builds

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The FCC reports…

On January 24, 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
ended the FCC’s consideration of a Biden-era rulemaking proposal that would have subjected tower builds to additional, needless, and onerous environmental reviews. That proposed rulemaking plan had been under consideration at the FCC since 2022.

Chair Carr said…

“Ending the FCC’s consideration of this Biden-era proposal is just an initial step. I look
forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders to ensure that the federal government
does not stand in the way of America’s broadband builders and the important work they have
ahead.”

EVENT Jan 30: Libraries in Response Event | Human Infrastructure of Broadband” Project

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An invitation from Benton Institute for Broadband & Society...

Libraries in Response

Session 117: “’Human Infrastructure of Broadband” Project”

Registration is Open
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
11am ET / 1600 UTC

Speakers:
Adrianne Furniss, Executive Director at Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Revati Prasad,  VP of Programs, Benton Institute
“Whether it is a librarian helping a veteran fill out an online benefits application at a public computer, a digital navigator assisting a senior citizen in signing up for affordable home broadband, a digital skills trainer teaching social media privacy in Spanish, or a device refurbisher helping students find devices to use at home—all comprise the human infrastructure of broadband.” – Benton Institute

Join in to get the latest on this ground breaking report from Benton Institute. In complement to the $4.25 billion BEAD program, congress also passed the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act, which aims “to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.”

While critical, simply connecting homes is not enough to allow everyone to fully participate in the digital economy and society. But how is this supposed to work? What processes and structures are in place or need to be created to implement such an ambitious goal?

“The vast majority of funding in the immense Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is focused on building physical networks to locations where people are unconnected or insufficiently connected.

Investments and research have traditionally privileged the wires and poles of broadband infrastructure without accounting for or making explicit the human infrastructure needed to enable digital opportunity. But fiber-optic cables may just be glass in the ground if people cannot subscribe to and use high-speed internet access. 

The human infrastructure of broadband is the necessary social and relational complement to the work of building physical infrastructure. The human infrastructure of broadband helps people—including, but not limited to, traditionally marginalized groups—access and make meaningful use of broadband.” — Benton Institute
Registration is Open
Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
11am ET / 1600 UTC

OBD Office Hours Jan 28, 2025: The BEAD Prequalification Portal is Open

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The big news is that the Prequalification Portal is now open. We got a tour of the portal (video below) otherwise I’m sharing the PPT slides, questions and links from the chat.

Prequalification portal access & user guide: mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/bead/. If you have any technical questions on the portal, please email mnhelpdesk@ready.net.

Resources continue to be added to this webpage, including:

Access updated BEAD FAQs here: https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/bead/#4. If you have a question about the BEAD program in Minnesota, please email those to deed.broadband@state.msn.us.

  • Questions
  • Are the BEAD eligible locations based off of BDC Vol. 4 data?
    Yes
  • How long does it take for OBD to process and to receive the email?
    Registrations should be reviewed within 24 hours (not including weekend submissions).
  • What time will the portal close on Feb 27?
    Midnight
  • Is there a preferred format for submitting any of the documents?
  • Thank you for including the Vol 2 page references with the questions! That’s a great resource.
  • How long will applicants have to respond to revision requests?
    24-48 hours because OBD also has a fast turnaround.
  • Once one teammate is added, can that new teammate add additional teammates, or does the original registrant need to add all the additional teammates?
    yes
  • Do you need to fill out the Organization Profile before completing the Pre-Qualification?
  • If CostQuest is telling us we need to pay for data in counties outside of where we have existing services available, who can we contact for assistance?
    I will forward your contact information to our contact at Costquest.
  • Any idea how the federal funding pause in effect at 5 pm today will affect MN BEAD?
    Not at this time. We are waiting for guidance.
  • Did I hear correctly that the application window is planned for March 10th?
  • Is there a cut off Day for pre-qualification…30 days is mentioned…
    Feb 28
  • Broadly speaking….with the priority to get service to unserved locations do you have any thoughts on applications in round 11A that would be an equal mix of unserved and underserved locations?
    File as what needs to happen to make your project most feasible.

Benton Institute looks at Minnesota’s Digital Equity Capacity Funds Plan

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The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society takes a look at Minnesota’s Digital Equity Capacity Funds…

The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development (OBD) received over $12 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to implement its Digital Opportunity Plan using Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funds. Through these funds, OBD aims to connect Minnesotans to digital equity information, resources, and––most importantly––each other. Broadly, these funds will be used to:

  •  Pilot a Digital Opportunity Leaders Network to combine “local energy, regional expertise, and statewide continuity”;
  • Create a directory of Digital Opportunity resources; and
  • Explore potential models for a program similar to the Affordable Connectivity Program, a statewide technology helpline, and a state-managed system to loan large-screen devices.

Digital Connection Committees (DCCs) are the heart of Minnesota’s digital opportunity planning process. Devised by OBD specifically for digital opportunity planning, DCCs are self-selected workgroups formed on a voluntary basis by a variety of entities, including political subdivisions, tribes, non-profits, anchor institutions, faith-based organizations, Minnesota-based businesses, and more–or any combination of these. DCCs gathered digital inclusion data and submitted the data to OBD. OBD provided targeted financial support for DCCs primarily through Assessing Digital Inclusion Mini-Grants. With inclusion in mind, OBD chose to make these grants non-competitive, awarding funds based on each individual application’s completeness, timeliness, and adherence to the scope of the intended grant work.

They go on to outline how OBD plans to achieve its connectivity goals and set Minnesota up for a future of digital opportunity.

President Trump orders a pause on all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government

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The Washington Post reports...

The White House budget office is ordering a pause to all grants and loans disbursed by the federal government, according to an internal memo sent to agencies Monday, creating significant confusion across Washington.

In a two-page document, Matthew J. Vaeth, the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, instructs federal agencies to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance.” The memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post, also calls for each agency to perform a “comprehensive analysis” to ensure its grant and loan programs are consistent with President Donald Trump’s executive orders, which aimed to ban federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and limit clean energy spending, among other measures.

The memo, which goes into effect Tuesday, states its orders should not be “construed” to affect Social Security or Medicare recipients, and also says the federal financial assistance put on hold “does not include assistance provided directly to individuals.”

From the actual memorandum…

The American people elected Donald J. Trump to be President of the United States and gave him a mandate to increase the impact of every federal taxpayer dollar. In Fiscal Year 2024, of the nearly $10 trillion that the Federal Government spent, more than $3 trillion was Federal
financial assistance, such as grants and loans. Career and political appointees in the Executive Branch have a duty to align Federal spending and action with the will of the American people as expressed through Presidential priorities. Financial assistance should be dedicated to advancing Administration priorities, focusing taxpayer dollars to advance a stronger and safer America,
eliminating the financial burden of inflation for citizens, unleashing American energy and manufacturing, ending “wokeness” and the weaponization of government, promoting efficiency in government, and Making America Healthy Again. The use of Federal resources to advance
Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve.
This memorandum requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance1 programs and supporting activities consistent with the President’s policies and requirements.2 For example, during the initial days of his Administration, President Donald J. rump issued a series of executive orders to protect the American people and safeguard valuable taxpayer resources, including Protecting the American People Against Invasion (Jan. 20, 2025), Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid (Jan. 20, 2025), Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements (Jan. 20, 2025), Unleashing American Energy (Jan. 20, 2025), Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (Jan. 20, 2025), Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government (Jan. 20, 2025), and Enforcing the Hyde Amendment (Jan. 24, 2025). These executive orders ensure that Federal funds are used to support hardworking American families.
To implement these orders, each agency must complete a comprehensive analysis of all of their Federal financial assistance programs to identify programs, projects, and activities that may be implicated by any of the President’s executive orders. In the interim, to the extent permissible under applicable law, Federal agencies must temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency
activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.

OPPORTUNITY: Dakota County Fiber Optic Network RFQ due Feb 14, 2025

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Dakota County is looking for bids to deploy fiber network in Dakota County. It starts with a mandatory pre-bid meeting on Feb 11…

Dakota County Fiber Optic Network
271505 DC-RS-Lower Spring Lk Park 13690 Pine Bend
Trail to Dakota County 1590 Hwy 55, Hastings – New Build
Request for Bids
ISSUED:
January 27th, 2025
BIDS DUE: February 14th, 2025
MAIL BIDS TO:
DELIVER BIDS TO:
Dakota County Information Technology Department
Attention: Dan Ferber
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, Minnesota 55033
OR
Dakota County Information Technology Department
Attention: Dan Ferber
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, Minnesota 55033
MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING:
February 11th , 2025at 2:00 PM
Please contact Roni Woods @ rwoods@logisMN.gov or 763-543-2673
for Teams meeting invite no later than January 20th, 2025.
Prepared by:
Justin Roggenkamp
(763) 543-2653
jroggenkamp@logisMN.gov