Fast Internet Gains Traction

Legislation to help expand high-speed internet access in underserved and rural areas of Ohio is getting bipartisan support. A measure that would direct $210 million dollars toward increasing broadband access, passes the House. The total includes $20 million dollars annually, plus another $150 million for the coming year that was part of Gov., DeWine’s state budget proposal. State officials say an estimated 300,000 households and more than 1 million residents across Ohio lack high-speed internet. The problem has been worsened by the pandemic…as more people have relied on the internet for remote work, virtual schooling and more. The legislation would still need approval from the Senate. That chamber recently passed a similar bill to create such a program, but it didn’t include the same funding specifications.