Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

Issues

Technology

Community Telecommunications Planning Act

19 June 2003

As part of an effort to bring high-speed Internet access to rural and underserved communities, today U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee introduced companion legislation to U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s Community Telecommunications Planning Act. This bill will establish planning and market development grants to help local and tribal governments, non-profits, public utilities, cooperatives, ports and other public groups to develop effective local plans to bring high-speed Internet access to their areas. The Community Telecommunications Planning Act (H.R. 2530), would provide $60 million in grants each year to help these areas obtain broadband and high-speed internet access.

"Communities all over Washington are brimming with business ingenuity and strong demand for high-speed Internet access, yet it is increasingly clear that many of them need planning assistance to develop the necessary infrastructure. The funding provided by this legislation offers our communities a key to unlock the Information economy and open doors to many more opportunities" said Inslee. "I commend Senator Murray for identifying this critical need and I look forward to working with her to move this bill in the 108th Congress."

[ Read the text of the Community Telecommunications Planning Act.

* You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print the legislation; download the free software here.