Question 5:

The Internet. Getting beyond the hype, what role, if any, should state government play in the development, promotion, use, taxation, and regulation of the Internet?

HUMPHREY Response 5:

The Internet has forever changed how we learn, how we communicate and how we persuade. As an avid and daily user of the Net, I understand the benefits the Internet brings to people across Minnesota. Whether its reading the London Times, checking Northwest Airlines’ cyberfares, or e-mailing my campaign staff, I know first-hand how the Net has changed the way I operate my day-to-day life.

State government has a role in the Internet. As probably the most democratic method of information retrieval and communication ever devised, state government should first foster the use of the Internet. A good example of Net communication is, of course, this e-democracy experiment. Another good example of state government involvement is the Northstar website.

Even though the Net is a democratizing tool, few Minnesotans now use it. That is why I believe another principal function of state government should be to promote affordable Internet access to the public through our utilities and educational facilities. As in any other market, we must ensure fair and competitive rates for the consumer. However, I don’t believe that there is a need to tax the Internet.

Finally, we must guarantee that our schools, our teachers and our students have access to the Internet and can use the technology available. There are several ways we can do that, including:

• making sure that our schools are completely wired and computers are available to every student
• providing teachers with Internet training and a laptop with a modem to use in their day-to-day work
• providing on-line homework help for our students
• establishing a pilot program for 9^th grade students that gives them a laptop equipped with a modem
• requiring a competency in Internet research for every Minnesota student.