Broadband Policy in Washington and West Virginia

Thanks to Ann Higgins for sending me an article from Progressive States Network Stateside Dispatch on Providing Broadband For All: Washington State and West Virginia Take Strides Forward.

Here’s a super-condensed version of what’s going on with each state:

Washington – working on State Senate Bill 6438 that would include mapping, deploying broadband to underserved areas and working on digital literacy. The downside is that the mapping will not be made public. (Side note: did you know that Washington boasts highest percentage of slow connections?)

West Virginia – New legislation (HB 4637) created a broadband council, doing mapping, establishes a deployment plan. One current worry is that the broadband council is weighted with industry folks.

If it rains this weekend, I am going to try to get broadband policy updates for more states. I’m sorry I can’t promise more – in Minnesota we know to make the most of the sunshine!

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About Ann Treacy

Librarian who follows rural broadband in MN and good uses of new technology (blandinonbroadband.org), hosts a radio show on MN music (mostlyminnesota.com), supports people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota (elimstrongtowershelters.org) and helps with social justice issues through Women’s March MN.

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