Texas broadband officials, led by Comptroller Glenn Hegar, are urging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz to remove certain rules around how federal dollars can be spent to expand internet access across the state. They argue that these requirements unnecessarily complicate program implementation and limit flexibility for providers. The officials believe relaxing these rules could increase provider participation, reduce administrative burdens, and allow for a wider range of internet access options, particularly in rural areas.
Texas broadband officials want U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz to remove certain rules around how to spend federal dollars to help expand internet access across the state.— a weekly dispatch about the people, places and policies defining Texas , produced by Texas Tribune journalists living in communities across the state.from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, part of the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden in 2021 to expand internet access.
Hegar also recommended relaxing or eliminating other guidelines. For example, he wants the state to have the flexibility to offer different types of internet access that aren’t fiber-only cable, which can be difficult to manage in rural areas. “We didn’t feel like we’re in the right place to set that standard across the state,” Conte said. “We want the affordability piece too, but we wanted to do it more in an industry-focused manner rather than us telling the industry what they need to charge for their product.”
On the other hand, Mitchell said, impoverished families are left figuring out how to budget broadband service for their home, if at all. Hegar also wrote that the requirement is viewed as running counter to a legislative mandate against rate regulation. According to the federal telecommunications agency, the agency is not engaging in rate regulation. Instead, the assistant secretary of the commerce agency reviews and approves low-cost plans.
BROADBAND FEDERAL FUNDING TEXAS INTERNET ACCESS REGULATION
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