Connectivity aid program must prioritize broadband equity

Every New Yorker deserves the chance to live the American dream. To make this a reality, we must support jobs and investment across the state, in urban and rural communities alike — and that starts with providing the necessary infrastructure. Nowhere is this more important than with ensuring access to fast, reliable high-speed internet.

But unfortunately, too many families and businesses in rural areas of New York still don’t have access to this essential service. That’s simply unacceptable in today’s world. As legislators, we must address this problem head-on.

The Connectall Office’s Municipal Infrastructure Program gives us a chance to fill these service gaps in our rural communities. The more than $200 million currently in the fund will go a long way towards helping county governments address this critical issue. But as it stands now, the program raises a lot of concerns about how this funding will be invested.

The Legislature must ensure every penny of this money will be spent in our rural and disenfranchised areas to bring broadband service to the families and businesses that don’t have it. But the current program allows for this money to be siphoned off to areas that already have good broadband service.

If our goal is to ensure every family, regardless of where they live, has access to opportunities, we must ensure this essential infrastructure prioritizes the areas that need it most.

Reliable, affordable connectivity will ensure that disadvantaged communities have access to education and information that will open doors to economic opportunities in rapidly advancing technology fields. This will contribute significantly to the overall growth and empowerment of disenfranchised communities.

That’s why I am committed to work with my colleagues in the Assembly to ensure the Municipal Infrastructure Program’s funding is committed to our rural, unserved areas and our disadvantaged communities. Every New

Yorker needs access to broadband service before we start investing taxpayer funds to build redundant, expensive infrastructure in areas that have good broadband.

We’ll only meet our goals as a state if we provide all New Yorkers with a path to prosperity. Focusing this funding on addressing broadband inadequacies in our communities will be a big step towards achieving that.

Assemblyman Al Stirpe of North Syracuse represents the 127th Assembly District and serves as chairman of the chamber’s Economic Development Committee.