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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 4, 2018 09:56 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Martin T. Causer |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Rural PA Broadband Deployment Act |
| Broadband Infrastructure and connectivity is vitally important for all residents and businesses throughout the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, in many ways rural Pennsylvania has been left behind. With all the proposals and focus being generated on this important issue, I think we have a tremendous opportunity before us to help our rural areas. The President has announced plans for an American Infrastructure Initiative, which is expected to include $50 billion in funding to states specifically designated for rural infrastructure. In addition, there is the possibility of funding being included in a Federal Farm bill. The Governor has also recently announced state funding for this purpose. To coordinate this effort, I plan to introduce legislation that will create The Rural Pennsylvania Broadband Deployment Act. The legislation will establish a new fund within the State Treasury into which federal (and other) funding can be deposited to use for deployment of rural broadband/high-speed Internet services. The legislation would also create an advisory board within DCED to not only investigate and make recommendations for the improved deployment of these services, but to solicit, review and recommend proposals to use the funding. The priority for funding would be to use it in the most underserved rural areas of the Commonwealth. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB2293