Rural broadband funding added to committee’s responsibilities

In advance of the state legislature’s return to session on January 8, Senator Torrey Westrom has been reappointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing Finance. Westrom has served as chairman of the committee since early 2017. Additionally, his committee has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing funding for rural broadband expansion in Minnesota.

“As someone who grew up on a farm and lived in Greater Minnesota my entire life, I know how important a strong agricultural economy is for our state and local communities,” said Senator Westrom. “Whether it’s crops, livestock, food processing, or other types of value-added agriculture, it is important that we keep our taxes low and find ways to streamline any regulations that hinder our farmers and agricultural manufacturers. Strong agriculture is strong Greater Minnesota development.”

New to Westrom’s committee this session is oversight on rural broadband. Senator Westrom has long been a proponent of rural broadband expansion, authoring multiple bills that funded projects to expand broadband access in Greater Minnesota.

“From health care to education, broadband access is essential to our way of life in the twenty-first century,” added Senator Westrom. “I consistently hear from rural residents and small business owners that a lack of broadband limits their ability to flourish in Greater Minnesota. We need to continue to address that problem and I look forward to spearheading that effort this upcoming session.”

During the last legislative budget cycle, Senator Westrom chief-authored a comprehensive, bipartisan agriculture budget bill that invested in efforts to stabilize the state’s agricultural industry through research, development, and innovative programs that expand markets for farmers. Further, Senator Westrom and his legislative colleagues passed legislation focused on stopping the spread of noxious weeds and plant pathogens. In addition to agriculture and rural development, Westrom’s committee oversees the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and other housing related funding. The committee has focused on expanding workforce housing across the state, especially in Greater Minnesota communities.

“Agriculture is the backbone of not only Greater Minnesota’s economy, but the economy of our entire state,” concluded Senator Westrom. “I look forward to working across the aisle on keeping our farmers working, expanding markets, and creating opportunities for the next generation of Minnesota farmers.”