GOVERNOR REYNOLDS HAS SIGNED A BUDGET BILL THAT INCLUDES 100 MILLION DOLLARS FOR STATE GRANTS TO COMPANIES THAT EXTEND BROADBAND TO AREAS OF THE STATE THAT DON’T HAVE SERVICE TODAY — OR TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE SLOW BROADBAND SPEEDS IN OTHER AREAS.
BROADBAND1 OC….ALONG WITH IT :10
REYNOLDS SAYS THERE’S A GLARING NEED AND THIS MONEY, ALONG WITH ANOTHER BILL THAT OUTLINES GRANT SPECIFICATIONS, ADDRESSES IT.
BROADBAND2 OC….DRAMATICALLY :05
THE MOVE GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS HALL OF SIOUX CITY, SAYS THE STATE COULD HAVE USED 100 MILLION IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY RATHER THAN STATE TAX DOLLARS.
BROADBAND3 OC….FLEXIBLE :18
GOVERNOR REYNOLDS HAD ASKED LEGISLATORS FOR 150 MILLION DOLLARS AND SHE PLANS TO USE 50 MILLION IN PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY ALONG WITH 100 MILLION IN STATE MONEY TO REACH THAT GOAL.
SHE PLANS TO ASK THE 2022 IOWA LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 300 MILLION MORE STATE DOLLARS FOR THE PROGRAM IN EACH OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
RADIO IOWA
