Katya Maruri

An executive order signed by former Gov Gina Raimondo (D-RI) requires Internet service providers to comply with neutrality requirements when entering into certain public procurement contracts in Rhode Island. Lawmakers have proposed a bill to make the order a permanent law. “This is the fourth year the bill has been proposed,” said State Senator Louis DiPalma (D-RI).

An infusion of federal money to expand broadband throughout the country could soon be headed to communities in need if Congress passes President Joe Biden’s $100 billion Internet plan. The question is what do states do until then? Several states have already crafted legislation to address the digital divide. For example, Kentucky's recently approved House Bill 320 will allocate $250 million toward expanding broadband throughout the state.

As wireless providers move towards using data instead of voice calls, the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF), which is responsible for offsetting the high cost of connecting Texans across the state, has reduced payments received by rural telephone providers by 66 percent.  In response to this decrease, rural telephone providers, which are now facing financial uncertainty, filed a suit in Travis County District Court against the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), which oversees the fund.  The lawsuit requests that the PUC fully provide previously approved funds to rural telephone cus