Minn. committee gets update on broadband effort

Minn. Senate committee gets update on effort to expand availability of affordable broadband

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Broadband Internet is the focus of a Minnesota Senate hearing, where members are anticipating an update on Gov. Mark Dayton's goal of bringing high-speed Internet to more places.

The Senate Committee on Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development was receiving its status report Wednesday.

Dayton has been pressing to expand the availability and affordability of broadband Internet. A task force he convened issued its recommendations last year and Dayton is proposing to create a Broadband Development Office within the Department of Commerce.

Former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who led Dayton's task force, was due to testify.