Sen. Gonzalez Sends Letter to CA Legislature Budget Committees to Request $3.5 Billion Broadband Investment Ahead of 2021-22 State Budget May Revise

 

 

Sacramento, Calif. – Today, Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D- Long Beach) sent a letter to state legislature budget committees in anticipation of the Governor’s 2021-22 Budget May Revise. The letter calls for a $500 million allocation in funds from the American Rescue Plan to support the deployment of broadband municipal fiber networks by local governments. Senator Gonzalez also calls for a significant $3 billion investment to further target and support broadband infrastructure deployment by local agencies and nonprofits. 

 

“This year we must take meaningful action to close the digital divide,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “That means we need substantial monetary investments in addition to policy reform, to ensure that broadband infrastructure is deployed in the unserved and underserved communities that need access to high-speed internet the most. We already know how important this is. Broadband is a necessity, just like electricity and water, and every Californian deserves to have access to the vast myriad of benefits afforded by the internet, including educational, social, and economic opportunities. I thank Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for her continued support, and all members who have signed on to this letter in support of greater financial investments that will take us one step closer to Digital Equity in California.”

 

"Access to reliable internet is an essential requirement for participating in the promise of the 21st Century economy, education and job training, telehealth care, and the growing number of private and government services available online," said Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). "The California of today cannot lead our people into the future with the technology of the past. In partnership with Senator Gonzalez and our many supporters in the Legislature, we can provide that future for every home and business in our State. The time to strike is now, with budgetary investment to support the policy in our legislation."