On Wednesday, Governor Dayton signed the supplemental budget bill, HF2749, into law. The language included a $35 million investment for broadband infrastructure—the largest amount in state history. When combined with federal funding, Minnesota is expected to see nearly $120 million in funding for broadband expansion in 2017 alone.
“Many areas throughout the state are unserved or underserved regarding broadband internet access,” said Rep. Tim O’Driscoll, R-Sartell. “This new funding will help residents of Greater Minnesota receive the high-speed connection they need to keep pace with our metro areas.”
The bill also included a historic tax cut for veterans, exempting all military retirement benefits from state taxes. This will mean more money in the pockets of the more than 18,000 retired veterans currently living in Minnesota.
“Before this bill was signed into law, we were one of just a few states to fully tax veterans’ retirement pay,” said O’Driscoll. “We’ll move from one of the worst states as it relates to taxing veterans pension benefits to one of the best in the country. Hopefully, with this change, more veterans will call Minnesota their home as they start their post-military career."
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