Legislature looks to wrap up broadband bill
The sun breaks through on Gabert Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
A Vermont bill meant to pave the way for broadband expansion is in the final stages of legislative approval.
The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved its version of the bill H. 360, which sets a framework for building out Vermont’s broadband network, with a focus on reaching the most remote parts of the state through local efforts. The funding comes from recent relief money in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As of Thursday night, this legislation remained in conference committee, where the House and Senate versions of the bill are being reconciled. Once that’s done, the bill goes to the governor’s desk for possible signing.
The broadband proposal adds support for Communications Union Districts, local municipally-approved entities which have facilitated more broadband connections in several regions. The legislation also allows small local telecom providers to benefit from the proposal, but they must support universal broadband access to do so, the Brattleboro Reformer reported.
The Senate version of the bill totals $100 million, down from the $150 million proposal the House approved in March. Gov. Phil Scott has expressed disappointment in both amounts, as his administration originally proposed spending $250 million of the ARPA funds on broadband. In a Thursday interview on Vermont Public Radio, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, of Brattleboro, said “additional monies can and will be appropriated as it becomes clear what investments are needed.” She also noted that the Legislature has 3 ½ years to spend the ARPA money, giving ample time to consider further investments in broadband.
“We have time to figure this out, and I think Vermonters want us to do that,” Balint said.
At Tuesday’s Senate proceedings, which are still being held on Zoom, Senate Majority Leader Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock, said broadband access has been a top priority during all her 16 years in the Legislature. Now, these federal funds are making significant progress possible, she said.
“It’s a very exciting moment, and this is something that the pandemic of course has illustrated: the essentialness of this work … for education, health and our economy,” Clarkson said.
For the entire past year, lawmakers in Vermont and elsewhere have emphasized the great need to increase broadband access, since gaps in that access put many adults and students at a disadvantage during the pandemic. Remote learning and telehealth services became critical in early 2020, as COVID-19 infections rose and millions had to remain home. There are also long-term limitations to business growth without more high-speed broadband connections, lawmakers said. Lack of broadband access has disproportionately impacted low-income Americans, multiple studies have shown.
At the federal level, the U.S. government is now offering some emergency discounts on internet services. Under the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, eligible households can receive a discount of up to $50 per month on their internet bills, and households on qualifying Tribal lands can receive up to $75 per month. Additionally, the program offers low-income families a one-time discount of up to $100 toward the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or a tablet.
— Gareth Henderson
