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Governor Wolf to Call for Statewide Broadband Access

Published by Governor Tom Wolf, governor.pa.gov on July 18, 2019 

Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Office of Broadband Initiatives Acting Executive Director Sheri Collins and representatives from Pennsylvania’s business, education, and municipal sectors at a press conference at the Capitol. The participants discussed their individual challenges with broadband access and how the bipartisan Restore Pennsylvania proposal will help close the digital divide.

“One of the biggest challenges holding back Pennsylvania’s economy is lack of universal broadband access,” Governor Wolf said. “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 20190321 Governor Wolf Restore Pa York 1 300x150funds necessary to expand access to high-speed internet to everyone.”

Restore Pennsylvania, the $4.5 billion bipartisan proposal funded through a commonsense severance tax, will provide funding to completely 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.

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. 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.”

Read the original article here