Rep. Benninghoff applauds action on broadband agreement

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Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) applauded action in the state House of Representatives Wednesday to improve broadband deployment across unserved and underserved areas of the state.

The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean/Cameron/Potter) would create the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, that would act as a single point of contact for funding, promotion and development of broadband and related infrastructure.

“Increasing access to broadband services in unserved and underserved areas of Pennsylvania is a universal concern in the Pennsylvania General Assembly,” Benninghoff said. “The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid and massive move to internet services for work, education, medical care and basic social activity has only underscored the need for greater broadband access across the Commonwealth.”

Benninghoff said the legislature would work with Gov. Tom Wolfe to move forward

“I am proud of the work put into this agreement by both sides of the aisle, in coordination with the Wolf administration, to move the effort forward for the future benefit of Pennsylvanians living in areas without sufficient access to critically needed broadband services,” he said in a statement.

The bill, House Bill 2017, is scheduled to be voted on for final passage in the House when the legislature returns to session on Dec. 13, 2021.