Forward progress on broadband can’t wait. California has federal funding in hand and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $7 billion broadband budget package prioritizes this funding for this purpose right now.
The Legislature’s joint plan unnecessarily delays broadband investment with few details, kicking the can on infrastructure construction at least a year or more down the line.
There’s no reason for lawmakers to draw this out. Letting perfection get in the way of broadband progress will disproportionately impact populations that have the most to gain – especially low-income, Latino, Black, Indigenous and disabled Californians. A recent statewide survey by the California Emerging Technology Fund and the University of Southern California found that more than one in four low-income households are unconnected or under-connected.
Ultimately, access delayed means access denied. In Riverside County, for example, 750,000 people have access to only one provider offering broadband at modern speeds, and 101,000 people have no such access.
Gov. Newsom’s proposal includes a workable plan backed by CPUC research. The past year has proven that broadband access is not a luxury. It is a modern-day necessity, as vital as electricity and clean water. Yet currently, more than 2.3 million Californians lack broadband access and about 15.4 million Californians have only one provider option or none at all for broadband at speeds that meet today’s needs.
Building an open access middle mile network—similar to long-distance transmission lines for electricity— sooner rather than later will open doors for more internet providers to reach under- and unserved homes and businesses. It would introduce opportunities for greater competition, paving the way for lower rates, higher speeds and better customer service.
The state’s budget surplus combined with federal infrastructure funding is a rare opportunity. Certainly, lawmakers need to ensure funds are carefully spent, but that is no reason to delay. Investing public funds to provide public infrastructure for the public good is not only a logical and prudent use of one-time dollars available now, but also a fundamental role of government.
Rather than defer action, as some propose, lawmakers should embrace and advance this key long-term solution. Not only is it necessary to help Californians prosper and create a more competitive marketplace, but it can also position the state to tap additional federal funding if it becomes available.
As hopeful as we are for President Biden’s $2.2 trillion American Jobs Plan, which could potentially provide additional funding for broadband infrastructure, those dollars would roll out slowly over eight years. During that time, kids who are finishing fourth grade this month will be graduating high school.Without swift action now, we will be bypassing an entire generation of children.
As part of a broad statewide coalition of cross-industry partners from education, health, economic, government, and equity organizations, we urge the State Legislature to seize the moment, lead boldly, and include Gov. Newsom’s broadband package in the June 15 budget– bringing the promise of Broadband for All closer to all Californians.
Lenny Mendonca is a member of California Forward’s Leadership Council, Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company, and former chief economic and business advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. Supervisor Chuck Washington is a member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors representing District 3 and serves as Second Vice President for the California State Association of Counties.
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June 12, 2021 at 08:01PM
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State investment in broadband infrastructure can’t wait - San Bernardino County Sun
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