Voice of Alexandria reports…

State Representative Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) has announced his intent to seek re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. The region he serves, District 12A, includes Stevens, Swift and Big Stone counties, most of Pope County and a dozen townships in Stearns County.

During his time at the Capitol, Anderson has served on committees that deal with agriculture, natural resources and the environment, education, veterans affairs, government operations, housing and taxes. He currently serves as co-chair of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. …

Anderson has been involved in a wide variety of specific issues for constituents with regards to veterans, broadband accessibility, elder care, mental health, education, taxes, drainage and water quality.

WDIO Radio reports…

St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald announced he will seek re-election to the County Board representing the Fourth District, a seat he has held since 2019.

“My entire professional life has been dedicated to helping people,” McDonald said in a press release. “As your county commissioner, I answer that call every day, and with your support, I will continue to do so.”

He has been active in broadband the world for several years…

At the state level, McDonald is Vice Chair of the Northern Counties Coalition, Chair of the Association of Minnesota Counties Futures Committee and has helped pass legislation saving taxpayers millions. He also serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband.

The Post Bulletin publishes a letter to the editor from a constituent who supports Jake Johnson, mentioning his support of broadband…

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have a congressman who really is a friend to farmers? …Farmers deserve a congressman who will work to ensure high-quality broadband internet in their communities that would bring affordable, accessible telehealth. Jake Johnson, a teacher who is campaigning for Congress against Finstad, will be a representative who can do the math.

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?

Tri County News reports…

Cold Spring resident Cindy Aho announced last week that she is running for the Minnesota House District 13A seat, covering small-town and rural Stearns County.

And..

Here are a few issues Aho seeks to work on: …

• High-speed Internet (Broadband) access: Internet is a necessity for everyone from school kids to businesses. Unfortunately, too many people and businesses in Greater Minnesota lack access to high-speed Internet service. We need access to high-speed Internet for all households and businesses in Minnesota.

Duluth New Tribune reports…

In September, Rep. Rob Ecklund of International Falls was able to meet virtually with the News Tribune Editorial Board — without having to leave his house. Even just a year ago, he said, he would have had to go “in town” for a reliable-enough connection.

Progress certainly is being made on Minnesota’s multiyear mission of achieving true border-to-border broadband availability, even in rural areas. And during his seven years in the Legislature, Ecklund certainly has been one of the cause’s leading champions.

Eligible voters in the Nov. 8 election can reelect Ecklund to a fifth term to continue his successful work — on broadband and other important issues — and his effective representation of massive Minnesota House District 3A, which runs up the North Shore from just outside Two Harbors and then covers the Canadian border from Grand Portage to west of Northome.

“We still have a ways to go, but I think (broadband) is important, because, as the pandemic showed, many people can work from home,” Ecklund said in the interview. “It’s a new facet of our economy, and I think going on into the future, we’re going to see more and more at-home work and less and less people working in big office buildings in cities. Minnesota can’t be left behind.”

Ecklund’s largely rural district stands to benefit greatly from better broadband. But it’s far from the only matter where he has made a mark for those back home.

Through YahooNews, we can see the Pioneer Press coverages of House District 41B candidates and Tina Folch’s connection to broadband…

House District 41B

Tina Folch

• Age: 51

• Party: DFL

• City: Hastings

• What qualifies you to hold this position? As a Hastings councilmember since 2016, I also serve on the Dakota County Broadband Board & School District 200 Community Engagement Committee. Having worked in state and local government for 25 years, I have broad experience with law enforcement, business, and transportation officials. I hold a Master’s degree from Hamline University.

• What would your top priorities be if elected? My top 3 priorities help our state prosper: 1) Develop more affordable housing and daycare options, 2) fully fund public education, pre-K through career training and 3) invest in infrastructure and foster development.

Le Sueur County News reports…

No matter who wins the election next November, Le Sueur County will have a new representative in Congress.
Following statewide redistricting, Le Sueur County was moved into CD2, currently represented by DFL Rep. Angie Craig, of Prior Lake. Before facing off against challenger and Marine veteran Tyler Kistner, R-Prior Lake, the incumbent dropped in on the latest addition to her district to speak with local farmers and county officials about agriculture issues and broadband expansion.

Here’s her view on broadband…

After stopping in Kilkenny for the Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day festival, Craig journeyed to Montgomery, where she hosted a roundtable on broadband with Le Sueur County Administrator Joe Martin, County Broadband Initiative Coordinator Barbara Droher-Kline, Tri-City United Schools IT Administrator Carl Menk and Lanesburgh Township Clerk Liz Krocak.

In 2021, with the use of CARES Act dollars, Le Sueur County funded the development of seven towers, including two in Waterville, one in Le Center, Tyrone Township, Cleveland, Montgomery, Cordova and Kasota.

Le Sueur County financed the towers alongside other projects, including WiFi hotspots at the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds, Ney Nature Center, Gorman and Volney Park and Lexington Township Hall as well as a fiber optic network by MetroNet between Kasota and Ottawa, Lake Volney and Gorman Lake, Waterville and Le Center.

Though the county’s municipalities are well served by high-speed internet, Martin told the CD2 Congresswoman Le Sueur County will need more than towers to serve the needs of rural residents.

“It runs well, but in the long-term we need our rural areas to run fiber to the door and right now it’s not happening because the return on investment isn’t there for the providers to do it,” said Martin. “The bottom line is they’re not going to do it to lose money.”

In total, the county administrator estimated it would require $12 million in outside dollars and a 25% match from the county to reach every household with fiber.

Craig was receptive to the idea and pointed toward her work securing $3.2 million in broadband investment for Goodhue County.

“That’s been my biggest contribution to Goodhue County is getting federal dollars for broadband over the past few years,” said Craig. “That would be something I would be all over in Le Sueur County as well.”

The Congresswoman labeled herself a strong supporter of financing community projects within her district and promised the county representatives she will be making similar visits to Le Sueur County if re-elected.

“I’m not afraid to ask for $12 million, I know they’re going to cut it in the final proposal, but I’m not afraid to ask for what I want,” said Craig. “I want to represent this community with all my heart in 2023.”

The Duluth News Tribute reports…

Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen on Tuesday, Aug. 2, outlined a 10-step plan to support Greater Minnesota communities complete with proposals to expand broadband access and speed up the process of getting farm permits.

The article adds…

Walz has supported some of the efforts in his legislative priorities and budget plans at the Capitol, including building out access to biofuels and increasing funding for broadband.