Huffman, Our Local Congressperson, Part of Proposal to Increase Access to Broadband in Rural America

rural broadband

Student working on schoolwork several years ago in a remote area of Humboldt County. [Photo by Kym Kemp]

Press release from Congressmen Jared Huffman:

Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Rick Nolan (D-MN) today introduced the New Deal Rural Broadband Act of 2017, an ambitious plan to connect every American home, business, and school to high-speed, reliable broadband internet that is based on Roosevelt’s New Deal rural electrification model. The legislation would expand access to broadband internet in rural communities in Huffman’s North Coast congressional district, and across the nation, through increased investments in broadband infrastructure, improved programs to support tribal communities in broadband development, and the establishment of a new Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives to better coordinate all Federal rural broadband deployment programs.

In 2016, according to the Federal Communications Commission, 39% of rural America and 41% of those living on Tribal land lacked access to advanced broadband, defined as 25 Mbps/3 Mbps. By comparison, only 10% of the country as a whole lack access to advanced broadband.

“The longer we allow the digital divide to persist in rural America and Indian country, the more Americans will be left behind,” said Rep. Huffman. “The New Deal Broadband Act is an ambitious blueprint to connect every home, school, and business in America to high-speed, reliable broadband so we can all compete in the world economy. All Americans deserve the benefits of improved economic development, as well as expanded public safety, health, and education services. Our new legislation builds on the legacy and success of FDR’s New Deal to bring broadband access in rural America into the 21stcentury.”

“Rural America has waited long enough for high-speed broadband,”  Rep. Nolan said.“It’s a necessity required to start new businesses, create new good-paying jobs, help our small town rural economy grow, and modernize the education and health care services so essential to quality of life. I’m proud to join my colleague in introducing this legislation to connect tens

“Across our country, many people still lack basic and reliable access to the internet. Congress must work together to address the connectivity gap and ensure that communities, especially in rural America, are able to stay connected to the 21st Century economy,” said Rep. Pocan. “The New Deal Broadband Act is a comprehensive plan to address broadband connectivity across our nation and I am proud to introduce this bill with my colleagues Reps. Huffman and Nolan.”

“Current federal rural broadband policy is not favorable to California,” said Connie Stewart, Executive Director of the California Center for Rural Policy at Humboldt State University. “Of the more than 110 federally recognized tribes in the state, 84 do not qualify for RUS grant funding. We would like to thank Congress Huffman for his leadership in bringing a comprehensive federal rural broadband policy to life”

 

“The lack of access to broadband in rural America remains a major challenge. Incumbents have not really acted fast enough to closed the digital divide. Unless we solve this need, we create an even larger urban-rural economic gap. an even larger urban-rural economic gap,” said Tom West, Manager of the North Bay North Coast Broadband Consortium. “ Rep. Huffman’s proposed broadband infrastructure investment would create new opportunities on the North Coast to ensure all homes, schools, and businesses have access to high-speed, reliable broadband.”

In January, Senate Democrats unveiled a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that included $20 billion in broadband infrastructure investment.
The New Deal Rural Broadband Act would:

  • Establish a new Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives to coordinate and centralize all Federal rural broadband programs;
  • Authorize $20 billion for new broadband infrastructure focused on rural communities and those without adequate access;
  • Authorize a new Tribal Broadband Assistance Program to support tribal communities in broadband deployment;
  • Improve and modernize the Telecommunications Loan and Loan Guarantee Program to increase eligibility, allow greater flexibility, and break down federal agency broadband “silos”;
  • Authorize the Rural Utility Service (RUS) to offer broadband grants in addition to loans and loan guarantees to provide small communities with the seed funds needed to compete in loan applications or develop commercially attractive proposals and increase overall (RUS) broadband investment from $25 million to $50 million annually; and
  • Establish an inventory of Federal and State assets on which a broadband facility could be constructed and;
  • Provide land management agencies with cooperative agreement and fee retention authority for telecommunications rights-of-way to leverage public lands for broadband deployment.
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13 Comments
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Lone ranger
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Lone ranger
7 years ago

1 trillion, holy sheet, really, we need to raise taxes , bust out the plastic American,

Bronco
Guest
Bronco
7 years ago
Reply to  Lone ranger

Or spend the money to build a useless wall . . . I’d say your choice but the choice has already been made!

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago

20 billion. Just more buearocratic bullshit. All about the money. These assholes using natives and religious minorities as props to funnel billions of dollars into their coffers. And the middle class will be taxed even more. In my opinion were already taxed to the hilt. And not even a vote yes or no. Unbelievable!

Dave
Guest
Dave
7 years ago

Haven’t you heard, the middle class is disappearing and the rich have moved their money overseas. That leaves the working class and the poor to pay for things. Get ready, the good ole thirties are making a return trip.

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
7 years ago

I’d settle for access to the FiberOptic line literally just across the road from where I live!!! But AT&T claim it’s for redundant backup but funniest thing the last time the cable was cut along 101 the backup line was never used!!! They just left the internet services stay off!!!!

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago

We’ve got to vote these fucktards out of power. In my opinion Pelosi and her entourage are filthy disgusting liars that see nothing but financial gain for themselves. The average working man doesn’t even have enough money left over to save for his children’s education. Gotta vote them out. No wonder the weed scene is so appealing. But I’m sure Governor Brown and his cronies will find a way to even monopolize that.

Red Woods
Guest
Red Woods
7 years ago

It is nice to see him finally do something that may be useful to rural areas. BUT why not encourage the use of business money instead of just dumping govt money then seems to be wasted in most cases.

As expected the first line is to establish a NEW Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives as just another place to give a few people fat govt jobs doing next to nothing for the people they always claim to be helping.

Then he wants a new Tribal Broadband Assistance Program for another layer of govt people getting a job & sucking away more money that should be going to fund the tribal communications.

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago

Why can’t the tribes in rural areas that are federally funded pay for this if they are in dire need of broadband? Probably because it’s not on there to do list. And aren’t willing to invest in bullshit they already have. And that works? Follow the dollar.

No service
Guest
No service
7 years ago

How about healthcare and community improvement programs to rural areas. Take your internet and go connect it somewhere else

Guest
Guest
Guest
7 years ago
Reply to  No service

Yes exactly. But there’s no money to be made doing right by the people.

Bawlz
Guest
Bawlz
7 years ago

Is this the sequel to the Democratic 787 $Billion stimulus package in 2009 which included 7.2 $Billion for broadband deployment in rural areas? I guess one more time to get it right, huh? SMHx2

Shak
Guest
Shak
7 years ago

The internet tax bill passed then?

The Society for Civil Discourse
Guest
The Society for Civil Discourse
7 years ago

The anti-Internet comments in an online forum are ironic.