Klobuchar to introduce 'dig once' bill

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Associated Press

Last update: June 15, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS - Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she doesn't want drivers to be inconvenienced by road construction any more than they have to be. So she's introducing a "dig once" bill.

Klobuchar's bill would require that underground broadband conduits be installed at the same time as any federally funded transportation project.

The conduits house fiber-optic cables that carry high-speed, high-capacity communications.

Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, says the Federal Highway Administration estimates that 90 percent of the cost of deploying broadband is due to digging up and repairing the road.

Her bill initially will be heard by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Klobuchar is a member of that committee.

Coleman's office to remain open until Feburary 4, 2009.

Good News for Norm Coleman fanatics...

His offices in St. Paul and Washington DC will remain open until February 9, 2009. The US Senate and court ordered the office to remain open so staff can archive and transfer constituent case files.

Coleman want his office to open for 60 more days to finish up about 400 constituent requests instead of referring them to other US Senator Amy Klobuchar or other Minnesota Representatives.

Coleman's offices was closed on January 5 after State Canvassing Board declared Al Franken a winner but Coleman chose to file lawsuit. The Senate Election is tied up in court's hands as right now.

Many of cases are being handed to Senator Klobuchar's office.