Minnesota cities are asking the Legislature for power to slap internet providers with new fees, an idea they say will lead to more broadband in the state with the added bonus of helping to pay for basic government access programming like video of council meetings.
But the idea has caused a stir at the Capitol, where telecom groups and Republicans argue the bill—with its significant support from the Twin Cities metro area—won’t actually aid rural Minnesota in bridging the digital divide at all. Instead, it would just bring in more cash to local government at the expense of broadband customers.
