ST. PAUL – A proposal that assists veterans and promotes broadband expansion in rural Minnesota has been signed into law. State Representative Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg) supported the measure.
“Last year western Minnesota received a significant amount of broadband funds, and this new law will invest even more in our rural areas,” Miller said.
Miller said the legislation makes another $35 million investment for broadband. This brings the biennial total to $45 million, which surpasses that amount dedicated by the previous legislature for this reliable technology. Combined with federal funding, Miller noted that Minnesota will now see roughly $120 million in broadband investments in the next year.
The supplemental spending bill 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.
“Our veterans already paid a price by serving our country, and Minnesota should have left their benefits alone,” Miller said. “This policy will actually encourage those who have served our nation to stay in Minnesota rather than moving to another state with a better tax climate.”