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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Bipartisan Governors Across America ‘Sign On’ to Internet for All Initiative

May 18, 2022
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Internet for All

 

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that 34 states and territories have “Signed On” to participate in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative, which will invest $45 billion to provide affordable, reliable high-speed internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade.

A broad, bipartisan group of governors have signed on and offered support for the Internet for All programs, which will build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide necessary technology to ensure that everyone in America has the access and skills they need to fully participate in today’s society.

For the complete list of states that have signed on, please see today’s press release.

Alabama

Gov. Kay Ivey

“Broadband is vital infrastructure for Alabama because it brings more jobs, improves educational and healthcare opportunities and provides many other benefits. We have recently made great strides in mapping, planning and helping to fund expansion of broadband service in previously unserved areas of our state. These funds from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program will further enhance Alabama’s ability to assist providers in expanding broadband access, bringing us closer to removing the digital divide.”

Arizona

Gov. Doug Ducey

“Since 2015, we’ve made significant investments to expand access to broadband, ensuring Arizonans gain access to fast, affordable and reliable internet. With a modernized economy and advanced healthcare and education systems, there’s more work to be done, and we will continue to optimize available resources to expand access and opportunity for Arizonans in this digitally connected world.”

Arkansas

Gov. Asa Hutchinson

“A focus during my term as Governor was to deploy broadband to as much of Arkansas as we could. We have made significant progress, but there is still much to be done. In a partnership with NTIA, I have chosen Jim Hudson to serve as our point of contact to efficiently deploy funding from the Investment and Jobs Act to provide high-speed internet to all.”

California

Gov. Gavin Newsom

“California is committed to addressing the challenges laid bare by the pandemic, including the digital divide that is holding back too many of our communities. Our state is advancing historic investments to expand access to high-quality broadband internet for students, families, and businesses throughout the state -- with a focus on underserved areas. I thank the Biden Administration for its commitment to this critically important effort to help all our communities build back stronger.” 

Colorado

Gov. Jared Polis

“We thank Secretary Gina Raimondo for working with states to improve access to broadband, which will help Colorado small businesses, communities, and schools expand their horizons and help our economy.”

Connecticut

Gov. Ned Lamont

“Thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, and with the strong support of Connecticut’s amazing congressional delegation, states across the nation have the resources to help ensure every American has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. As President Biden has said over and over, high-speed internet service is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. The $65 billion federal investment in broadband made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is critical to America’s future competitiveness and economic growth. Connecticut is signing-on to this goal and looks forward to working with the U.S. Department of Commerce and NTIA.”

Delaware

Gov. John Carney

“Before COVID-19 we made a commitment to strengthening our broadband infrastructure that directly contributed to Delaware ranking number one among states for internet speed and consistently placing in the top three for access. The pandemic highlighted that broadband deserts without internet in our state still exist and just how important access to broadband is to our families, students and businesses. I want to thank President Biden and his Administration and our Congressional Delegation for their vision and resources to invest in this critical issue. These investments from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan Act will build on our efforts to make high-speed internet available to—and affordable for—every home and business, positioning Delaware to be the first state in the country with universal access to broadband.”

Hawaii

Gov. David Y. Ige

“Hawaiʻi is fully prepared to use federal funds to create critically needed, affordable broadband access available to all our residents. Hawaiʻi Signs On! to erasing the digital divide.”

Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear

“Kentuckians deserve affordable, reliable, high-speed internet, and it is vital to continue our record-setting recruitment, retention and expansion efforts as we continue to bring well-paying jobs to every corner of the commonwealth.”

Louisiana

Gov. John Bel Edwards

"Partnering with Commerce/NTIA will allow Louisiana to achieve what we thought was impossible. We will now have the financial resources necessary to once and for all eliminate the digital divide in Louisiana. We are grateful to both Secretary Raimondo and Assistant Secretary Davidson of NTIA for their leadership and partnership. Over the past several years, our Broadband Office (ConnectLa) has worked hard to align resources between federal, state, and local officials to take full advantage of this historic broadband funding opportunity. We look forward to partnering with the people of Louisiana to make closing the divide a reality."

Maine

Gov. Janet Mills

“In Maine, we’ve prioritized efforts to build out broadband infrastructure, responsibly allocating state and federal resources to ensure that every Mainer who wants an affordable, reliable internet connection can have one. The BEAD Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supported by Maine’s Congressional Delegation, will help to ensure that more Americans have the connection they need to work, study, see a doctor, and keep in touch with friends and family.”

Michigan

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

“Affordable, reliable high-speed internet is essential for working families and small businesses across Michigan. Since I took office, I have taken steps to prioritize high-speed internet in state government by establishing the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office and made investments to expand access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet to over 18,000 homes and small businesses. I am grateful to our federal partners for making high-speed internet a priority and proud to sign on in support of NTIA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Programs. Let’s work together to ensure every Michigander and American has high-speed internet that meets their needs.”

Nevada

Gov. Steve Sisolak

"Nevada is proud to 'sign on' as a committed partner to work with organizations across the State and the country to make sure we connect everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet. We are working to invest in long-term, life-changing infrastructure that will benefit Nevadans in their homes, schools, and places of business for generations to come." 

New Hampshire

Gov. Chris Sununu

“New Hampshire was the first state to invest CARES Act dollars to expand broadband access and we are ready to continue that success with this additional funding. More than ever, our rural communities need to be connected.”

New Jersey

Gov. Phil Murphy

“Making high-speed, quality internet accessible to all will help us bridge the gap in the digital divide. That is why I am signing on to participate in the NTIA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure programs. I look forward to joining my fellow Governors in this endeavor as we create a stronger, fairer, more equitable internet infrastructure in this country.”

New Mexico

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

“This funding is going to be a true game-changer for rural states like ours. Coupled with the millions of dollars we have already committed at the state level, access to educational resources, telehealth and other services will be available to far more New Mexicans.”

New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul

"New York State fully supports the goals of NTIA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law infrastructure programs. We are excited to work with Secretary Raimondo and the Biden Administration to ensure New Yorkers from Buffalo to New York City have equitable access to high-quality, affordable broadband service. Here in New York, my administration is already expanding affordable broadband access through the $1 billion ConnectALL initiative, the largest ever investment in the state’s 21st century infrastructure. Through partnership with NTIA, private and public investments, we will transform our digital infrastructure to connect millions of New Yorkers, across rural and urban areas, to broadband which is more essential than ever for  jobs, education and economic growth.”   

North Carolina

Gov. Roy Cooper

“High-speed and reliable internet is now essential for North Carolinians to work, learn and have access to health care. We’re excited for this partnership with the federal government to help us close the digital divide and strengthen our communities.”

Oregon

Gov. Kate Brown

“In today’s digital world, access to broadband is an absolute necessity for all sectors of the economy, digital learning, and more. All Oregonians deserve broadband access, regardless of income level or zip code, and I am grateful for the partnership of Secretary Raimondo and the Biden-Harris Administration as we work to expand equitable broadband access to people in all corners of Oregon through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."

Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf

"Access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet has been a priority throughout my administration and I'm extremely pleased that the Biden Administration recognizes the importance of this critical infrastructure because it connects people in many important aspects of their lives. The investments in broadband through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will undoubtedly help millions of Pennsylvanians and close the digital divide, and so I'm proud to 'sign on' to using these critical programs to enhance my administration's efforts to ensure all Pennsylvanians have broadband access."

Puerto Rico

Gov. Pedro R. Pierluisi

“We look forward to our continued participation in the NTIA’s programs to provide high-speed internet to all Puerto Ricans, which is going to have a direct impact on our residents' quality of life, as well as our Island's economic growth and competitiveness. Now more than ever, access to reliable high-speed internet is a priority and we will continue working to secure all resources available to provide access to technology for academic, business, or professional development. Telecommunications and Broadband access have become a basic necessity to every citizen, and I will continue to work with the federal government in our combined efforts to help bridge the digital divide that affects the American citizens of Puerto Rico.”

Rhode Island

Gov. Dan McKee

“Affordable, reliable, high-speed internet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. The Biden-Harris ‘Internet for All’ initiative will build on the important work we are doing here in Rhode Island to ensure that all of our residents have the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. Internet access is an economic issue, an education issue and an equity issue – we thank President Biden and his Administration for recognizing the critical need for action when it comes to finally connecting all Americans with high-speed internet.”

Vermont

Gov. Phil Scott

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in high-speed broadband are essential to the economic revitalization of all our communities, especially the rural communities and county economic centers that had previously been left behind. These investments are also critical for states like mine that need to retain and attract more workers and families. I look forward to working with Secretary Raimondo and the entire team at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to extend this critical economic infrastructure – and the economic equity it offers for smaller and more rural communities – into every community and to every home in our state.”

West Virginia

Gov. Jim Justice

“As Governor of the State of West Virginia, I have made broadband a top priority by launching West Virginia's Billion Dollar Broadband Strategy. I am absolutely committed to ensuring that every West Virginian has access to high-speed internet connectivity. The Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program will help us achieve that goal. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA, and many stakeholders throughout West Virginia to implement this historic program. I have directed the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and its Office of Broadband to make sure that broadband connectivity is available everywhere throughout our great state. Working together, we will achieve internet connectivity for all West Virginians.”

Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers

"These past few years have illustrated how critically important access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet is for nearly every aspect of our daily lives while underscoring the digital divide that exists in our state and across our country. Here in Wisconsin, I’m proud that we’ve been able to provide more than 300,000 homes and businesses with access to new or improved broadband service since 2019. And with the investments in broadband Wisconsin is expected to receive through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re excited to continue building on our work expanding broadband connectivity to folks and communities across our state.”