Democrats introduce a bill in the Minnesota House today (Thurs) to expand broadband Internet access in rural Minnesota. “It’s gonna play an increasingly more important role in the lives of Minnesotans as we go along. And we have to do everything to make sure that all Minnesotans have access to high-speed Internet,” says the bill’s sponsor, Representative Rob Ecklund from International Falls. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says Republicans “definitely support” investing in broadband infrastructure, but budget limitations require the state to prioritize. He adds that newer technologies like wireless might make more sense than fiber-optic cable in remote areas of Minnesota.