State Rep. Pam Snyder wants to ensure rural Pennsylvanians have access to high-speed internet — particularly since the covid-19 pandemic has made the persisting digital divide more apparent and problematic for those who don’t.
The Greene County Democrat announced Wednesday she plans to introduce a bill to devote $500 million of Pennsylvania’s $7 billion federal infusion in American Rescue Plan allocation toward improving broadband access.
“Unfortunately, we missed an opportunity to properly fund these ventures during the recent budget process,” Snyder wrote in a memo asking fellow lawmakers to sponsor her proposed legislation. “We cannot let another opportunity slide past us.”
Snyder, who resides in Jefferson, sent out the memo seeking co-sponsors shortly after 2 p.m. Snyder could not immediately be reached for an interview.
In a statement, Snyder said her bill would create the “Unserved High-Speed Broadband Funding Program” to improve online access for unserved and underserved areas statewide.
“Even before the pandemic occurred, residents across Pennsylvania have struggled with reliable access to broadband,” said Snyder, whose district spans Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. “With our increasingly digital world, it’s imperative that our students, workers and local businesses can connect, and my bill would ensure all communities can have equal access.”
It’s unclear just how many residents lack access to broadband connections.
The Federal Communications Commission has reported that more than 800,000 Pennsylvanians don’t have access to broadband speeds, based on data provided by internet providers.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania found in a 2018 study that none of the state’s 67 counties can boast that more than half their population has broadband connectivity. The center further estimates that more than 250,000 residents still don’t have any internet access in their homes.
Snyder’s proposed legislation has not yet been formally introduced, which must happen before it can be assigned to a legislative committee and considered for a vote.
