I love when people send me updates! (That is a thinly veiled invitation to others, candidates, communities and vendors, to send updates too.) Earlier this week, I got a nice recap of Senator Tina’s Smith’s broadband history…

Here are a few things that Senator Smith has been working on.  You can also check her website for more details.

https://www.smith.senate.gov/search/node?keys=broadband

 

Senator Smith Bills Introduced

• FCC Telehealth Program Funding – $200 million to reimburse healthcare providers for telehealth-related equipment and services.

Bills Senator Smith Cosponsored

• Library Stabilization Fund Act of 2020 – $2 billion to help libraries expand educational resources (internet, devices, services) during the pandemic.
• Keeping Critical Connections Act – $2 billion to reimburse small telecoms who voluntarily continue serving customers who are unable to pay their bills.
• Emergency Broadband Connections Act – $8.8 billion to provide low- or no-cost broadband service for low-income families and laid off workers.
• CARES Act – $25 million for telemedicine and distance learning in rural areas.
• CARES Act – $100 million to expand broadband networks in rural areas.
• CARES Act – $50 million for grants to museums and libraries ($225k granted to St. Paul Public Library, $200k granted to Weisman Art Museum).

Letters Senator Smith Cosponsored

• Urged the FCC to provide connectivity directly to student homes during the pandemic.
• Urged the FCC to coordinate with USDA to raise awareness about existing government subsidies that help low-income households afford broadband.
• Urged the FCC to expand and improve low-income subsidies during the COVID-19 emergency.