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Bill supported by State Rep. Baird to prioritize broadband access moves forward

Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Beau Baird

INDIANAPOLIS – Legislation supported by District 44 State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) to prioritize broadband access for students, schools and rural clinics could soon be law.

Baird said rural communities throughout the state struggle to get quality access to broadband and high-speed internet.

Currently, Indiana’s infrastructure plan includes the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, which is available to supply reliable and affordable broadband service to areas of the state without good internet connection through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

Under this legislation, OCRA must make it a priority to deploy these grants to unserved areas most in need first.

“There is a pressing need to expand broadband access for our rural communities,” Baird said. “Using funds from the grant program provides the opportunity for unserved and underserved Hoosiers to get quality internet services.”

The bill would create a reverse auction for students who can self-report a lack of educational broadband service through a portal on the OCRA website. Baird said the broadband company that can provide service to the student’s household for the lowest amount of money would be awarded the Next Level Connections grant.

A new voucher program will also be created through the legislation to help schools and clinics cover the cost of obtaining better internet speeds and higher-quality connection.

House Enrolled Act 1449 has gone to the governor for consideration as a new law.

For more information, visit www.iga.in.gov.

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  • Another bill that probably the Baird haters could support. I didn't read that support on the last bill. Wonder if we will see support this time.

    -- Posted by beg on Wed, Apr 21, 2021, at 9:38 AM

  • I 100% support this! Everyone should have access to high speed internet!

    -- Posted by BJCP96 on Wed, Apr 21, 2021, at 11:26 AM

  • BJ,

    Thanks for sharing. Personally, I believe the lack of responses of people who have express hatred for the Baird's but have agreement with the last 2 pieces of legislation supported or led by them demonstrates no desire for true bi partisanship.

    Neither those on the right nor the left can bring him or herself to show any kind of agreement/ support when the other side provides legit solutions.

    Just my perspective

    -- Posted by beg on Thu, Apr 22, 2021, at 1:39 PM

  • I'm so sick and tired of the hatered that people show because a person is left or right. People we are going to destroy the greatest country in the world. Yes we have problems so we should work together to solve them.

    If all the talk on national level it's nuts. So let's talk out our problems and fix them.

    -- Posted by Togafarm on Sat, Apr 24, 2021, at 7:22 AM
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