Expanding Rural Broadband Access
One of the top priorities of the Missouri General Assembly this past legislative session was the passing of bills designed to increase rural areas’ access to high-speed broadband internet. I’m happy to report that two of those proposals, House Bill 1872 and House Bill 1880, made it across the finish line.
If approved by the governor, House Bill 1872 will institute a grant program for the installation of broadband internet service. This will incentivize corporations to expand their service to more areas of the state. House Bill 1880 simply declares the Missouri Legislature’s intention to facilitate and encourage the development of fiber optic infrastructure by rural electric cooperatives. This is an important step, as it will ease the way forward for these cooperatives in spreading fiber optic cable in new areas and along many more routes.
In my time representing Missouri’s 12th Senatorial District, I’ve heard from a number of folks on this issue. In the modern economy, internet is not just a simple luxury, but a vital utility. As more companies allow people to work from home, those without high-speed internet access are being left behind. And for those who run their own businesses, reliable internet is essential.
With high-speed internet, rural communities can thrive. While large cities drive a fair amount of our country’s economic activity, not all folks enjoy a congested atmosphere. By expanding broadband internet access, we’re expanding people’s freedom to live wherever they want without having to sacrifice the sort of jobs that used to be much easier to find in large cities.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.