If I had two extra hours to my day, I still wouldn’t be able to keep up with the broadband news these days. I just saw the latest on the ARRA broadband funds on BroadbandBreakfast…
The House has voted to pass HR 1586, which primarily provides funding for states for education funding and Medicaid. In order to offset the costs of the new funds, $302 million will be rescinded from broadband stimulus funds. The Senate has already passed the legislation.
The vote passed 247-161.
The last I heard this was off the table – but I heard that from BroadbandBreakfast too – so I guess the game has changed.
Here’s more info on the vote according to WorldNewsVine…
The bill passed the House 247 to 161 with only one Republican voting in favor of the bill, and three Democrats voting against the bill.
And according to a comment in the same story, here’s even more info…
The One Republican That Voted Yea:
Yea LA-2 Cao, Anh [R]Democrats Voting Nay:
Nay AL-2 Bright, Bobby [D]
Nay MS-4 Taylor, Gene [D]
Nay TN-5 Cooper, Jim [D]
I didn’t find any info on the FCC sites – but while they’re good with transparency, they aren’t always the first to report the news. It will be interesting to see what that means for ARRA broadband applications in the hopper.
Broadcasting & Cable did post remarks from the NTIA today:
“A small portion of the historic $7.2 billion investment the Administration is making is significantly expanding broadband access and adoption,” said an administratiom official speaking on background. “About 4% percent was repurposed yesterday to help avert imminent layoffs and meet emergency state funding needs. We continue to steadily award billions of dollars to fund new Recovery Act broadband projects nationwide and our focus now is on investing in the strongest projects possible to make the most of the funds yet to be awarded.”
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/455927-UPDATED_NTIA_Broadband_Stimulus_Funding_Cut_By_302_Million.php
By: Ann Treacy on August 12, 2010
at 7:15 pm
[...] find it interesting too – that this report came at the same time that the House cut $302 million from the ARRA broadband funds. In short, the money has been shifted from broadband to keep teachers. In the past, I’ve accused [...]
By: How important is Government support of broadband? « Blandin on Broadband on August 12, 2010
at 7:38 pm