Can States Pick Up the End of ACP?

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel made it clear recently that the FCC is not willing to tackle funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that is expiring in May 2024. She estimated that the FCC would have to add something like $9 to every broadband bill in the country to fund the ACP plan. However, states could pick up the ACP funding just for their state. States will have the authority to do this after the FCC approves the reinstitution of Title II authority this week. That authority would give the FCC the authority to create the fee needed to fund the ACP through the FCC Universal Service Fund. While internet service providers have already sent a joint letter to the FCC asking to preempt states from establishing a state version of the ACP, I don't think the FCC will. States that create their own version of the FCC will face a lot of issues, but it's certainly something they could do. Of course, this discussion could end in a hurry if Congress steps up and funds some version of ACP, but I wouldn't bet on it.