(Greenfield) Iowa District 20 Representative Ray Sorensen says after some deliberation and compromises with the Governor and the Broadband bill, thinks they can achieve their goal of connecting all Iowans, especially those stranded out in the Broadband deserts, and not with slow and outdated technology, but with download speeds aimed at not only catching Iowa up but creating an economic growth driver for Iowa.
Sorensen says when the governor introduced her bill making significant changes to the existing broadband grant program and focused on increasing broadband speeds around the state. Sorensen thinks the emphasis should be placed on connecting Iowans who currently do not have access. He says the state must do what it can to boost this infrastructure because the internet touches everyone.
Sorensen says the next step is the appropriation side of the bill. Currently, the Governor is talking about $150 million per year, and speaker Grassley is talking about budgeting $100 million.
Sorensen says House File 848 sets the framework for aggressively building out Iowa’s broadband infrastructure to ensure all Iowans can access broadband internet. However, this policy bill will have limited effect without a significant financial investment in the grant program.
