Legislature’s internet efforts will have lasting impact
New Mexico has had a significant footprint in the continued growth of the online marketplace because of one man, dubbed by his peers as the “wizard in the desert.” When New Mexico native Jared Tarbell helped start the vastly successful e-commerce website etsy.com from his apartment near The University of New Mexico, he demonstrated the opportunities that exist when communities are connected to the internet.
Unfortunately, too much of New Mexico is facing a digital divide that leaves 68 percent of New Mexicans living in rural and tribal communities without access to internet connection, which renders them unable to take part in the opportunities that exist on the web. It’s also tied their hands in their efforts to attract, retain and expand businesses.
When your internet speeds match those of developing nations like Iraq and Moldova, you know there is a problem. This problem also signaled a huge chance to reinvigorate local economies and helped push New Mexico into the 21st century.
One of the greatest accomplishments this past legislative session was passing an expansive package of legislation geared at connecting New Mexicans in every corner of the state to highspeed internet.
Legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to pass common-sense improvements to help connect families and businesses. I was proud to sponsor two bills that have now been signed into law that will open the door to major internet infrastructure expansion in parts of the state that need it the most.
After years of attempts, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 53, which cuts red tape that has prevented internet providers from investing in needed internet infrastructure as they look to expand into rural communities. As technology changes and makes the traditional landline obsolete, we need to make sure we have a framework to bring our communities along.
That’s why we also revamped the existing Universal Service Fund in Senate Bill 308 to help make broadband attainable for all New Mexico families by creating a dedicated broadband fund. The once-outdated fund was originally created to provide telephone service to rural parts of New Mexico where doing so would come at high costs.
Other measures look to enlist local governments as change agents in the effort to connect their communities. House Bill 60 by Rep. Carl Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, and Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, will reduce the costs of new broadband network construction by allowing partnerships between local governments and broadband providers.
Unfortunately, despite receiving near unanimous support in the Legislature, Gov. Susana Martinez tried to veto another bill I sponsored that would have allowed local governments to raise the funds necessary to bring high-speed internet to their communities. Local governments may still be able to use this option moving forward because her veto attempt did not meet the constitutional requirements.
New Mexico suffers from the worst unemployment in the nation, so it is more critical than ever that we find creative ways to expand jobs. Broadband access will allow rural and urban communities across the state to grow small, local businesses, while also being a viable option for businesses who want to come to New Mexico but are worried about sufficient internet connection.
Etsy is now a publicly traded company that boasts more than 28 million active buyers and $2.84 billion in annual gross merchandise sales. It serves as an example of what can be done when we begin to recognize that high-speed internet is not a luxury; it’s a necessary tool for economic growth. There is no question the legislation passed this session to expand broadband access will have a lasting impact on communities’ efforts to strengthen their economies and open our doors to the markets of the 21st century.
Sen. Michael Padilla serves as the Senate majority whip. During the interim, Sen. Padilla chaired a meeting of the Science, Technology and Telecommunications Committee focused on expanding broadband in New Mexico.