THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY FOLMER, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, ALLOWAY, D. WHITE AND M. WHITE, JANUARY 12, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, JANUARY 12, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Urging the President of the United States and the Governor to

institute a broadband mobilization strategy to manage funds

from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

WHEREAS, With the passage of the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5, 123 Stat. 115), many

states are coordinating large, cross-agency, statewide

strategies to enhance their American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act of 2009 funding opportunities in order to maximize broadband

deployment strategies; and

WHEREAS, Because the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

of 2009 will be competitive, the Commonwealth must put forth a

broad strategy that leverages and combines American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 opportunities and all other available

economic resources to promote sound economic development for the

deployment of broadband access; and

WHEREAS, To best maximize this Commonwealth's share of

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds, the

strategy must be transparent and nonpartisan as it leverages all

opportunities with existing Federal, State, local and corporate

resources; and

WHEREAS, The strategy should follow the following principles:

(1)  Provide broadband leadership at the State level,

through a decentralized system that promotes Pennsylvania as

a whole, much like the highly publicized California Broadband

Initiative which is seeking $1,000,000,000 of the

$7,200,000,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

funds.

(2)  Leverage existing public and private infrastructure.

(3)  Develop competitive bid processes.

(4)  Address public safety improvements through broadband

deployment.

(5)  Provide appropriate incentives for investment in

underserved and unserved regions.

(6)  Link with proven existing programs and stimulating

demand through anchor tenants, schools, hospitals and other

community anchors.

(7)  Focus on the final leg of delivering services to a

customer ("last mile") for connecting residential broadband

customers.

(8)  Update broadband mapping that is delivered

immediately after collection ("real-time data") and insisting

on data transparency.

(9)  Establish meaningful reports and accountability for

all projects.

(10)  Invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure.

(11)  Ensure that all projects receiving stimulus money

have proven, identified sustainability plans after the

stimulus money is used;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Pennsylvania urge the President

of the United States and the Governor to work in conjunction

with the General Assembly to institute a broadband mobilization

strategy to manage funds from the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

the President of the United States and the Governor of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.