Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar urges Senator Ted Cruz to remove certain BEAD program requirements that he deems unnecessarily complex and counterproductive to expanding broadband access, particularly for low-income households.
Texas broadband officials are urging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz to remove certain rules regarding how states can spend federal dollars allocated for expanding internet access. In a letter to Cruz, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar argues that these requirements, originating from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) established by the bipartisan infrastructure law, hinder the program's effectiveness.
Hegar contends that eliminating the requirement for states to identify eligible households for low-cost internet options could increase provider participation, reduce administrative burdens on state broadband offices, and simplify program implementation. Hegar further proposes relaxing or eliminating other guidelines, such as the restriction to fiber-only internet access. He believes this flexibility would allow states to offer a wider range of internet access types, particularly in rural areas where fiber infrastructure may be challenging to establish. Texas lawmakers have emphasized expanding broadband availability in recent years, as an estimated seven million residents currently lack internet access. Recognizing the crucial role of broadband for education, employment, and healthcare, especially in underserved communities, Texas aims to bridge the digital divide. While TexasLifeline remains the primary federal program supporting low-income households with broadband costs, the discontinuation of the Affordable Connectivity Program last June has left a significant gap in internet affordability. State officials like Greg Conte, director of the Texas broadband office, support low-cost internet options but prefer industry-driven solutions over mandated pricing. They require providers utilizing state funds to detail plans for serving low-income homes. However, experts like Christopher Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance caution that artificially low pricing could make it financially unsustainable for rural internet providers to operate.Meanwhile, Charlie Cano, CEO of Etex Telephone Cooperative, highlights the challenges of balancing affordability for low-income families with the financial realities of network maintenance and upgrades. Cano advocates for government subsidies to directly assist low-income households, suggesting a collaborative approach between state and federal entities to ensure equitable access to broadband
BROADBAND TEXAS FEDERAL FUNDING INTERNET ACCESS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS SENATOR TED CRUZ COMPTROLLER GLENN HEGAR BEAD PROGRAM
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