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ENEWS: MN elections and the infrastructure bill

ENEWS: MN elections and the infrastructure bill

Date Published: 11/11/2021

Author: Erin Wilson

Key points from MN local elections

Local elections took place last Tuesday. Below are some articles that detail key points from results across the state.

One of the most highly discussed ballot measures in this round of Minnesota local elections was Minneapolis’s measure that proposed replacing the Minneapolis Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety “that ‘employs a comprehensive public health approach’ and could include traditional police, ‘if necessary.’ It also would've removed a mandatory minimum for sworn peace officers from the city's charter,” an article from Axios writes. The measure did not pass; 43% voted ‘yes’ to replacing MPD while 56% voted ‘no.’ Here is a map from Axios showing percentages of voters who voted in favor of the charter amendment in Minneapolis. For more details on the results of the ballot measure, you can read this article from NPR.
This article from MinnPost covers key points from school board elections across the state. Four takeaways the article lists are:

“Ballot questions on funding schools through local taxes passed in a majority of districts — even in districts that had rejected similar questions in the past”
The Ag2School bond credit possibly helped win farmer votes for school bond levies in rural districts
Additional cuts may occur in districts that didn’t pass bonds or levies
Voters largely rejected candidates who oppose Critical Race Theory

Check out this article from the Sahan Journal for a comprehensive rundown on all elections in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including city council, school boards, mayor, and charter amendments.
Finally, for comprehensive coverage on state elections from last week, head to this page on MPR’s website, where you can find results and a compilation of articles on all things 2021 local elections— from debate over charter amendments, to school board elections and new city council representation.

MN’s carveout of the federal infrastructure bill

Congress passed the federal infrastructure bill last week, which will bring billions of dollars to Minnesota for highways, transit, bridges, broadband, electric car charging stations, airport improvements and water treatment facilities, according to MPR. To be exact, the state is expecting $4.5 billion for highways, $302 million for bridge replacement and repairs, $818 million for public transportation, $100 million for broadband expansion, and $68 million for electric car charging stations. For more on what the federal infrastructure bill means for Minnesota, read these articles from Axios and MinnPost.

Statewide broadband speed test initiative

As Minnesota prepares to receive at least $100 million in federal funding for broadband over the next few years, thanks to the Build Back Better infrastructure bill recently passed by Congress, the MN Rural Broadband Coalition (MRBC) and the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools based in Mountain Iron will continue the partnership with GEO Partners, LLC. begun in August 2020 to collect and map speed test results real-time from homes, businesses and other locations across Minnesota. The information can help more communities have more precise data as they seek grant funding for broadband expansion. Please take the speed test (and share the link with other colleagues and neighbors) at: https://broadband.ramsmn.org/mn-rural-broadband-coallition-initiative

G & J’s president, Jane Leonard, serves on the MRBC executive board and has worked on various rural and urban telecom and broadband equity initiatives since 1991. Big thanks to RAMS for stepping up to host the speed test and mapping site going forward, and to both RAMS and MRBC for their current and long-term advocacy for broadband infrastructure development.

Quote:

“As this bill becomes law, we’re no longer just talking about infrastructure, we’re actually delivering the once-in-a-generation improvements that will make life better for millions of Minnesotans, create good-paying jobs and economic growth, while positioning the United States to succeed in the 21st Century.” —Senator Tina Smith on the newly passed infrastructure bill

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Government · National Government · State Government · Greater Minnesota · Transportation · Roads & Highways · Transit · Workforce Development · E-News · By Growth & Justice · Other · MINNPOST