Today Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler praised the announcement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that a majority of counties in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District will see funding for broadband internet service coming to their communities.
The FCC announced that 11 companies – that were winners in a competitive bidding process in the Connect America Fund Phase II Reverse Auction – will receive over $254 million to deploy high-speed internet service to communities across the state.
“This announcement helps ensure that a majority of counties within Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District will receive federal aid to help with the deployment of high-speech broadband internet service,” Hartzler said. “Rural Missouri towns need high-speed internet to attract even more high-paying jobs and to aid in their children’s education. With over half of rural Missourians lacking access to this vital resource, it’s time to level the playing field.”
Hartzler, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, has continuously advocated for deploying broadband internet service to rural communities. The House version of the 2018 Farm Bill includes a provision by Hartzler to set a minimum speed for internet deployed through the USDA Rural Utilities Services (RUS) broadband programs, to ensure the services being provided to rural communities can adequately meet their demands. The Farm Bill also includes a provision she authored to increase private investment in rural broadband by allowing loan guarantees to be issued through RUS programs.
1 comment:
While agreeing that broadband internet is important and it will help many I think that protecting Americans healthcare alternatives is just as important. Maybe cut a little here and a little there and maybe reconsider some of those expensive toys for the Defense Department and everyone can be served instead of a few rich electronic firms. Which comes to mind with Trump nixing or trying to the deal with some entertainment companies and pushing for acceptance of others who are preaching on the right wing agenda. This latest government is too interested in pushing help for the super rich and not helping the common folks. How about Long and Hatzler pushing for a higher minimum wage, better worker protection and having a little sympathy for workers unfairly taken advantage of like the ones working for big Ag and not receiving full wages or credit for Social Security earnings or decent housing when they are in temporary status. So many things that are humanistic and yet it completely escapes the republicans.
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