State Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Fayette/Somerset/Westmoreland) said Monday that the Senate Communications and Technology Committee would discuss the impact of high-speed internet on the agriculture and education industries at a public hearing at Penn State Fayette on Sept. 5.
The committee, which is chaired by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), is conducting a series of public hearings across the state focusing on closing Pennsylvania’s digital divide. The hearings consider how lack of access to high-speed internet affects various industries and public services across the Commonwealth.
“Connection to high-speed internet is critical for all of Pennsylvania and is a particularly relevant issue in many rural communities like the ones that I serve,” Stefano said. “That is why I am grateful that Chairwoman Phillips-Hill is bringing the Communications and Technology Committee to my district to discuss this issue. This is an issue that deserves the attention of all levels of government, and I’m pleased to host this hearing to facilitate that discussion and better understand what is happening on the ground.”
“Our state’s largest industry – agriculture – relies heavily on new technology to be more efficient and competitive, but without high-speed internet, many of our farmers are getting left behind,” Phillips-Hill said. “York County farmers are no different than farmers in the southwestern part of our state – they all are turning to technologies to accurately monitor and control their herds, flocks, and crops. In addition to our agriculture community, education is going from textbook to Chromebook. This hearing is extremely important for two sectors of our state’s economy. I am thankful Senator Stefano agreed to host this public hearing.”