Topeka Capital-Journal

With an influx of federal funding for broadband development, the Kansas governor's office is championing a goal to have the state among the leaders in high-speed internet access by the end of the decade. "We understand how high the stakes are," said Lieutenant Gov and Commerce Secretary David Toland (D-KS).

Despite opposition from most of our Kansas congressional delegation, new federal dollars are coming to Kansas to expand broadband access. President Joe Biden recently signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, fulfilling a 2020 campaign promise. The bill had moderate bipartisan support, though every Republican in Congress from Kansas opposed it. The only Kansan to support it was Rep Sharice Davids (D-KS).

The State Finance Council approved $60 million in grants to better beef up the state’s broadband infrastructure, although lawmakers acknowledge it won’t fully address the scope of the problem in rural Kansas. The money will come from the state’s allotment of federal CARES Act funding and will be funneled out in two separate grant programs. One, a $50 million pot, will aim to bolster internet speeds in underserved areas, while the remaining $10 million is designed to specifically help low-income residents.