Senator Westrom pushes bill to provide broadband relief

Schools struggle with lack of online access for rural students

(St. Paul, MN) – The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing this Wednesday on Senate File 4494, which appropriates $20 million to expand access to broadband internet service and telemedicine. Notably, $8 million of the bill is designated to distance learning grants for students currently lacking Internet access during the COVID-19 peacetime public health emergency.

“This period of working, educating, and staying at home has further highlighted how crucial it is to have good access to an internet connection,” said Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake). “Rural areas should not have to see their children’s education suffer because they can’t access online materials. In our digital age, it’s unrealistic to view broadband as anything other than a utility.”

$2 million of the full amount will go towards reimbursing licensed healthcare providers who invest in and install telemedicine equipment for COVID-19-related care. The Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will award the grants based on geographic need and a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Border to Border Broadband Fund, which targets the development of broadband in unserved and underserved areas, is a significant recipient in the bill. It will receive $10 million of the $20 million appropriation. However, this funding for the Border-to-Border Broadband Program is only allocated once the Commissioner of Management and Budget determines that federal funds can be used for this purpose. If the Commissioner does not find this funding appropriate for the coronavirus relief fund, no spending occurs. This stipulation removes the risk of depleting the general fund.

Minnesota still contains large swaths of land that fall into the unserved and underserved categories, according to DEED’s map of broadband services, proving that this infrastructure is still needed in our state.

“Medicine is not the only industry to begin utilizing the internet for the greater good. If we expect to continue growing, advancing, and innovating rural economic development, expanding broadband is a necessary step,” concluded Sen. Westrom.

The bill passed to the Senate floor, where it’s expected to be debated next week.

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