A CSAC-led coalition calling for the state to make an
$8 billion Broadband budget investment is encouraging
individual counties, school districts, other local agencies, and
nonprofits to send letters of support. Our
sample support letter (pdf) stresses the transformative
possibilities of ubiquitous access to broadband.
Two more organizations joined the coalition this week and
the letter making the request was delivered to all members of
the California Senate and Assembly. Coalition members are meeting
with representatives of Governor Newsom’s administration,
leadership in both houses, and members of the legislative budget
committees.
The need for expanded broadband access is irrefutable. It would
provide immediate benefits to the households and businesses who
currently lack access or have access only to inadequate speed or
reliability. The state’s progress to reaching the goal of closing
the Digital Divide has been steady, but slow, and the
considerable resources now available to the state—including $26
billion from the American Rescue Plan Act and an approximately
equivalent amount of one-time state general fund revenues—mean
that now is the time to jumpstart these efforts.
The $8 billion request includes $6.8 billion for open access
middle mile and 100 Mbps last mile fiber to all homes and
businesses currently without it. However, we know that simply
providing access cannot be the end of our efforts. That is why we
are requesting the infrastructure investment be paired with $1.2
billion for programs to increase adoption.
CSAC is urging counties to send a letter of support to the
Governor and their legislative delegations. Acting together, we
can take this moment to make significant progress in closing the
Digital Divide.
