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In a world where connectivity matters, new federal legislation announced Friday aims to fund programs that thousands of people in the region rely on to access broadband internet.
The Affordable Connections Program is expected to run out of funding by April, so the new law will make financial aid available through the end of the year.
Thousands of people who benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program to access high-speed internet in the region are at risk of losing that program because Congress is not funding its continuation. I am.
Approximately 76,000 low-income households in Monroe County currently rely on this program. The program offers up to $30 off per month on internet service and equipment, as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 off one laptop. And all of that is at risk.
Josh McElriott, who was at the Rochester Central Library downtown on Friday, said he supports a bill proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D.Y.) that would fund the Affordable Connectivity Program through the end of the year. Ta.
“We now live in a time where the internet has become part of our necessities. It’s the same as water and heating now,” McElliott said. He added, “Anything that supports low-income housing is fine. If children can have a good experience of getting an education here, and people can have a good experience of living here, it will lead to the growth of the city itself.” “People will want to stay here,” he added.
On Friday, at the Arnett Branch of the Rochester Public Library, Gillibrand joined Mayor Malik Evans and other city leaders to introduce legislation calling for an additional $7 billion in funding for affordable connectivity programs. Without it, the participant of the program will have to pay the full price for his Internet broadband.
Gillibrand said the additional funding will ensure that people who rely on the program for things like remote work, online classes and telehealth appointments will continue to receive subsidies. Gillibrand said many Americans rely on the program to stay connected.
“23 million Americans out of 300 million are enrolled in this. There are 300 million Americans in the United States. And in New York, 1.7 million households,” Gillibrand said.
This program offers up to $30 per month off the cost of internet service and equipment. In eligible rural and tribal lands, the discount can be up to $75.
If approved, the bill would continue the program through the end of the year. If not approved, funding will run out by April 9, putting the program in serious jeopardy.
There has also been opposition to continuing to fund the program. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Thune wrote in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission in December that the program’s subsidies are given to households that already have high-speed internet and that the program’s current He claimed that he did not trust the coach.
Teresa Correa, who left the Central Library on Friday, said access to the internet is something everyone needs, which is why libraries are always the safest option.
“Even if you’re just doing homework, even post-corona, you’re going to have to go somewhere to do your research. Sometimes you don’t have access to a certain internet connection, but you can at the library,” she said.
