Resolution in Concurrence with Federal Government Allocation for

 Robust Broadband Internet Awareness, Adoption, and Use Programs

WHEREAS,  the National Lieutenant Governors Association believes that widespread efforts to promote broadband adoption,  use, and digital literacy are critical to improving the nation’s long-term competitiveness in a global market, and to achieving certain socioeconomic improvements in the quality of American life; and

WHEREAS, by expanding availability of broadband, adoption and use of broadband and by expanding digital literacy skills, a greater number of Americans may fully take advantage of the benefits of broadband based applications such as tele-health, energy management and education opportunities online; and

WHEREAS, More than 1/3 of all Americans do not have broadband at home and 21% of Americans do not use the Internet at all, according to an April 2009 survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project; and

WHEREAS, only 63 percent of U.S. households subscribe[1]   and

WHEREAS, research shows that a “lack of interest” in broadband is one of the main reasons certain populations do not seek out broadband services[2]; and  

WHEREAS, research also shows that many non-broadband households view broadband as being either irrelevant or difficult to use,[3] and nearly half of the population that does not subscribe to broadband says it does not need such a connection[4]; and  

WHEREAS, Americans that do not have broadband at home are disproportionately lower-income and older than average, as only 35% of low-income households and 30% of seniors citizens have broadband at home[5]; and

WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) established several broadband initiatives, and

WHEREAS, one initiative includes funding for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and

WHEREAS, BTOP is designed to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies, according to the FCC, and

WHEREAS, a second initiative included funding for the Broadband Investment Program administered by the Rural Utilities Services (RUS) of the US Department of Agriculture to support the expansion of broadband service in rural areas through financing and grants to projects providing high speed service, according to the FCC, and

WHEREAS, a final directive to the FCC requires development of a report containing a National Broadband Plan by February 17, 2010, and

WHEREAS, availability of broadband must be accompanied by its widespread adoption and active use for it to reach its full potential, and

WHEREAS, Congress expressly devoted a mandated minimum expenditure of $250 million to broadband adoption and use and to digital literacy with a maximum limited only by the size of the broadband stimulus program itself,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) maintains its commitment to bridge the digital divide expressed in 2008, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NLGA concurs that digital literacy and the adoption and use of available broadband are required elements to bridge the digital divide, and    

BE IT FURTHER  RESOLVED, that the NLGA calls on the federal agencies implementing the broadband funding included in the Recovery Act to fund said broadband internet adoption, use and literacy programs accordingly; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the NLGA calls upon all levels of governments  to work cooperatively with the private sector, nonprofits, and academia to develop robust  broadband awareness, adoption, and use programs, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to members of relevant Congressional committees, the Administration, and the relevant federal agencies implementing the broadband funding programs including but not limited to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Rural Utilities Service.     

Passed by committee this 30^th day of July, 2009

Sponsor:  Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Maryland

Co-Sponsor:  Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, Mississippi

Lt. Governor John Bohlinger, Montana
Lt. Governor Michael Fedele, Connecticut
Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton, Wisconsin
Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo, Kentucky
Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Iowa
Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Massachusetts
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Virginia
Lt. Governor Gregory Francis, USVI
Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Rhode Island
Sec. of State Ken McClintock, P.R.
Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, Vermont
Lt. Governor Carol Molnau, Minnesota
Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Vermont


Contact:
National Lieutenant Governors Association
Director Julia Hurst
(859) 283-1400 or jhurst@csg.org