California Legislators Join Governor Newsom for Signing of Historic $6 Billion Broadband Budget Bill

July 20, 2021

Sacramento, Calif. – On July 20th, 2021 Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) joined Governor Newsom for the signing of the historic $6 billion broadband infrastructure investment legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 156, which will provide much needed funds for the deployment of 21st century high-speed broadband infrastructure to help close the digital divide and meet the connectivity needs for more California businesses, individuals, and families.

“Today’s unprecedented budget commitment to broadband investment will help modernize our state’s broadband infrastructure and help finally close the digital divide and provide greater opportunities for all Californians,” said Senator Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “AB 156, now officially law, will have a huge impact by ensuring that all Californians, no matter whether they reside in rural, urban, or suburban California, have greater access to broadband for telehealth, education, economic opportunity, and countless everyday needs. This is a momentous achievement that will greatly complement my Senate Bill 4 and Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry’s AB 14, both of which are advancing through the legislative process and would secure continuous, ongoing funding for broadband investments as well as reform broadband policies to promote competition, empower local governments to build their own infrastructure, and advance Digital Equity in unserved and underserved areas. I am thankful to Governor Newsom and my colleagues in the California Legislature for supporting the landmark investment that was signed into law today.”

“This broadband deployment budget bill is an impactful investment to close the digital divide for all Californians,” said Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “In partnership with my colleague Senator Gonzalez, we have highlighted the critical need to modernize our state’s broadband policy and programs, and to commit long-term funding to guarantee internet connectivity for all California communities, rural and urban.  I am immensely proud that our efforts have contributed to a budget deal between Governor Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon to provide a generational $6 billion investment in broadband infrastructure.  Modern, adaptable technology in every corner of our State will provide access to education and job training, health care, and the digital economy. Passage of AB 14 and SB 4 this year is the next essential step in providing a historic policy and funding package to lead California into the future.”

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Senator Gonzalez represents the 33rd Senate District, which includes the City of Long Beach and portions of South Los Angeles and Southeast Los Angeles including the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, and South Gate. Senator Gonzalez lives in Long Beach with her family.

Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa Counties, parts of Colusa, Solano and Sonoma Counties, and all of Yolo County except West Sacramento. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry resides in Winters a block from her childhood home with her longtime partner, Larry Harris, and has two grown daughters and a stepson.