Senate Democrats Continue to Champion Expanded Broadband
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1111, a bill to expand broadband access across the state, in a vote of 24-0. HB 1111 next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
After the vote, amendment cosponsors Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) and Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough) issued the following statements:
“Access to broadband is about more than high speed internet, it is a matter of digital equity,” stated Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene). “For our rural communities, it means access for telemedicine, the ability to work from home, and educational opportunities for students. Public funds must be used efficiently in creating public-private partnerships to bring high speed internet service to every home in New Hampshire and finally cover the last mile. This includes towns having access to service provider mapping to determine unserved properties.”
“Letting rural communities combine into communications districts helps everyone,” added Senator Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough). “In unserved areas, people cannot sell their houses, children cannot learn remotely and people cannot work from home. This reduces our viable housing stock. It pressures more people to move into well-served towns, that then have to over-develop. This raises the cost of living in those towns. HB 1111 provides more tools to correct a lack that is holding back the economy of this state.”
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