State Sessions Focus on Broadband

[Commentary] Since state legislatures around the country have started their sessions in 2012, legislators and governors alike have been recognizing the importance of broadband (or high speed Internet) to growing state economies.

Governors in states as diverse as Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, and Wyoming highlighted broadband initiatives in their state of the state speeches, as more and more of our leaders are realizing that without broadband, the U.S. economy is not going to produce jobs or the highly-skilled workers needed to compete in a global marketplace. Expanding broadband access is a serious challenge which will require all sectors to contribute — the private sector, the public sector, and the philanthropic sector. No player should be told to sit on the sidelines as we work toward adequate infrastructure for the 21st century. State legislatures can promote strong state economies by making sure that small businesses, school children and households — regardless of income, race, or rural location — have access to high speed broadband Internet.