WashTech/CWA President Testifies before Washington House on high speed Internet access benefits
On January 15th Marcus Courtney, the president of WashTech/CWA, testified in front of the Washington State House Technology Communications and Energy Committee on the need and benefits of high speed Internet expansion. HB 2559, currently before the Washington State House, would creates a statewide high speed Internet deployment and adoption initiative. During the hearing, Courtney outlined some key CWA goals: fuel the state's economy, create jobs and keep Washington competitive, bridge the digital divide and create opportunity in rural and underserved communities, and improve health, safety and educational opportunities for Washington residents.
HB 2559 is modeled after Connect Kentucky, a successful statewide program, and brings together all of the key stake holders, including state, local and municipal governments, public safety, telecommunications providers, unions, schools, universities, health care providers, and community organizations in a public-private partnership. The partnership will use research to measure high speed Internet access and engage the community on how to expand access.
HB 2559 would allow Washington to begin to understand where gaps in broadband access exist and help bing high speed Internet to communities that might otherwise be left behind.
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