The Republican controlled House voted on one of Governor Branstad’s legislative priorities but it didn’t pass.
Governor Branstad’s “Connect Every Iowan” initiative promised to bring high speed internet to more rural Iowans.
However, nine republicans voted against the bill Friday and only two democrats supported it in a 51-44 vote.
Democrats say the bill, which offered company tax credits to provide broadband services to underserved communities, didn’t do enough to address the problem.
Troy Hendrickson
The companies that provide broadband are some of the wealthiest in the state, they need no welfare. Did Branstad take bribes from INS?
John
municipal franchise agreements should require that all residents receive services within 3 generations of technology. While South and north of Grand residents are bitching about how unsightly fiberoptic hubs are there are areas of the South and East sides that have 1940s phone lines that can’t support a 14k modem.
Troy Hendrickson
The idea here is to simply eliminate cabling altogether, and the first company to do it will find people flocking to them with their cash, without the need for welfare.