Democrats are blasting a major state budget bill the Republican-controlled Minnesota House passed last night as the Democrat-controlled Senate gets ready to vote on its budget plan today.
Duluth Democrat Erik Simonson says Republicans have only 15 million dollars in their budget this year for expanding broadband Internet in Greater Minnesota. He asked Republicans, “What it is that you’re going to spend the 900-million-dollar surplus on, that you can’t invest 100 million dollars in rural broadband?” Willmar Republican Dave Baker responded, “I’d love to see a ton of it go to roads and bridges, and tax relief for Minnesotans that are just asking for tax relief.”
Less than four weeks remain in the legislative session and Republicans, Democrats and Governor Mark Dayton are far apart on the state budget.