Alabama voters back local broadband spending amendment

Voters in Alabama approved a new state constitution as well as 10 amendments, one of which frees up the state and local governments to use stimulus funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to attract internet service providers in hopes of expanding broadband service. Amendment Two was passed alongside several other amendments concerning election laws, criminal justice, and taxation. The measures were all attached to a new state constitution replacing a document written in 1901. [That constitution, in addition to having grown over the last 120 years to nearly 400,000 words and 900 amendments — making it the world’s longest governing document — was riddled with racist language and laws, including interracial marriage bans, poll taxes for Black voters, and segregated schools.] The broadband amendment passed with nearly 80% support. Under it, the state government and Alabama’s localities will be authorized to “grant federal award funds or any other source of funding designated for broadband infrastructure by state law to any public or private entity for the purpose of providing or expanding broadband infrastructure.” The amendment had already been approved unanimously by the Alabama Legislature and had the backing of Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL). Gov Ivey said that  Alabama would seek to use $276 million in Rescue Plan funds for broadband development. In September, the state’s Digital Expansion Authority Board announced plans to use $82 million to connect nearly 3,000 miles of existing and new fiber.