The Minnesota Department of Education invites applications from Minnesota public school districts, charter schools and education districts for projects that expand broadband access for students under the 2016 Laws of Minnesota, chapter 189, article 30, sections 24-25. Applicants may apply for a Broadband Expansion Off-Campus Learning Grant and, if eligible to receive general education transportation sparsity revenue under Minnesota Statutes, … Read More
House, Senate Provide Broadband Funding, Approaches Differ
The House and Senate both approved broadband funding last week in their omnibus bill packages. As one-time appropriations from both bodies, these funds would work to further provide high-speed internet access greater Minnesota by expanding availability and testing accuracy. But the approaches differ. The House on Wednesday passed the omnibus bill for agriculture, environment and natural resources, job growth, and energy affordability … Read More
Session Insight: Will Legislators Reach a Deal?
The 2016 legislative session must end three weeks from Monday and as expected we’re nowhere close to a grand bargain that would bring resolution to transportation, taxes, bonding and supplemental spending. This shouldn’t be a surprise as every legislative session sees the major issues pile up in partisan wrangling as we head down the stretch. View MREA’s complete side-by-side comparison of the legislative … Read More
Progress Update on MREA Platform Issues
The House and Senate are each bringing finance and policy proposals that MREA supports to end of session negotiations. Here’s a snapshot of some of the provisions, organized by the issues outlined on MREA’s 2016 legislative platform: Facility Fallout The House tax cut package contains an Agricultural school bond credit of 50 percent. MREA is in strong support of this … Read More
Broadband Speeds Draw Attention
The Governor, Senate and House all proposed significant investment in broadband expansion across rural Minnesota. Gov. Mark Dayton recommends the highest investment of $100 million, followed by the Senate at $85 million. The House proposes $40 million. At issue is how to prioritize the needs across the state. MREA is rooting for all three to resolve their differences and push substantial … Read More
Technology, Teacher Recruitment Top Priorities in Omnibus Bill
The House and Senate Education Committees passed their education finance bills on schedule last week. They neatly bracket the Governor’s target of $60.77 million. The Senate’s budget tops $100.5 million, while the House spends $52 million. Both bodies assume that several districts with Capital loans will repay their loans thus providing the state with an infusion of $52 million. Even … Read More
House Releases Budget, Senate to Follow
The House GOP released its E-12 target late last week with a focus on one-time funding. The Senate will follow with its plan this week. The House Plan The House proposal focuses on creating $53 million in one-time funding by offering favorable refinancing of facility debt for several Capital Loan districts. The plan assumes seven districts will take advantage of this … Read More
Budget Forecast Retracts to $900 Million
The updated state budget forecast released today reveals a slight retraction in the $1.2 billion surplus initially projected as of December to $900 million, according to Minnesota Management and Budget. Legislative leaders now have to grapple with the budget news as they head into session on March 8. The competition for tax cuts, transportation spending and early learning funding just got more … Read More
Groups Call for Broadband Investment for Rural Areas
A recent meeting hosted by the Blandin Foundation revealed a pressing need to educate legislators on the urgency of gaining funding for rural broadband expansion, grow legislative support and create a more permanent coalition of advocacy groups. The meeting comes as a state task force calls for investment this legislative session to bring much needed Internet service to rural areas and … Read More
DFL Calls for Broadband Funding and Ag2School Credits
The House DFL leadership last week announced a plan to fund Greater Minnesota, including two high priority education needs: high-speed broadband Internet expansion and Ag2School tax credits. MREA members identified both of these as top issues for the 2016 legislative session that convenes March 8. This package includes $100 million for high-speed broadband Internet access to rural parts of the state, $50 million in agriculture … Read More
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