Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is continuing his push to bring high-speed internet access throughout all of Pennsylvania.
“One of the biggest challenges holding back Pennsylvania’s economy is lack of universal broadband access,” Gov. Wolf said during an event Thursday in Harrisburg. “Everyone here today told us about how the negative effects of not having access are numerous and far-reaching. Thankfully, we have a plan in Restore Pennsylvania that can provide the funds necessary to expand access to high-speed internet to everyone.”
Restore Pennsylvania, the $4.5 billion bipartisan proposal funded through what Wolf calls a commonsense severance tax, will provide funding to bridge the digital divide in every community in Pennsylvania.
Funding will be available to support installation of infrastructure to bring high speed internet to every corner of the commonwealth, according to the Wolf Administration.
Nearly a million Pennsylvanians today lack access to robust, reliable, high-speed internet, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Lack of broadband access affects almost every sector, according to Wolf. In education, lack of broadband access hurts students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. In business, companies have difficulty recruiting premier talent in areas where broadband isn’t readily available for the employee and their family at home. In health care, broadband is needed for effective telemedicine and ensuring emergency medical services personnel can provide the fastest, best care possible.
“As educators, we know how important it is for our students to have broadband internet access beyond the school walls,” said Dr. Brian Griffith, superintendent of Penns Valley Area School District. “A reliable, affordable, and scalable broadband internet connection is essential to be competitive with learners from across this commonwealth and around the world. It’s time we step up and lead the way toward developing the type of contemporary learner we not only desire, but need. I believe Restore Pennsylvania is a plan that will help achieve this goal.”
The problem also disproportionately affects rural areas, according to the Wolf Administration. According to a report published last month from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, internet connectivity speeds are substantially slower in rural counties than in urban ones. Due to the cost of broadband infrastructure, local municipalities cannot fund the purchase and installation of that infrastructure themselves.
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