Today, over 60 mayors and other elected community leaders sent a letter to President Trump, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and House Speaker Ryan on the importance of including broadband in any plan to improve the country’s infrastructure. The letter was sent on the same day the United States Senate held a hearing on “Improving Access the Infrastructure,” focusing on transportation and information networks.
The 65 mayors who signed the letter believe that broadband internet access is necessary infrastructure and a key to prosperity for their communities. The mayors and other municipal elected officials are members of Next Century Cities, a bipartisan organization of mayors and city leaders that advocates for a modern, fast and equal broadband for all citizens. Signers included the mayors and high-level elected officials from San Antonio, Chattanooga, Kansas City, San Francisco, Seattle, and other communities from across the nation.
The letter recommends three key broadband priorities for any federal infrastructure plan: access, affordability, and local solutions for connectivity. It also emphasizes that the internet is nonpartisan, and that federal leaders should work together across party lines to promote the deployment of next-generation broadband.
“We are eager to have the federal government take steps in an infrastructure package that will truly improve internet access for millions of Americans, and do so in ways that recognize the importance of local leaders in making these lofty plans a reality in our towns and cities across America,” the letter said.
Full text of the letter is available here.
