Access to Broadband Task Force Holds 1st Meeting

The Task Force on Access to Broadband High-Speed Internet Service, chaired by District 12 State Senator Beth Mizell, held its first meeting at the Louisiana State Capitol. The Task Force was created during the 2019 Regular Legislative Session by Senator Mizell’s Senate Resolution 177 to address growing concerns over internet and broadband access in Louisiana’s most rural areas.

Senator Mizell says that the goal of the Task Force is to bring together stakeholders, citizens, and officials to study current impediments and devise solutions to achieve statewide access to high-speed Internet service.

"It is encouraging to have stakeholders at the table, working together, and in agreement that rural Louisiana must have broadband access for our people,” says Sen. Mizell. “Rural Louisiana has been overlooked for far too long."

First, a statewide broadband plan must be created. While federal dollars are available for expanding broadband service, most grants require there be a statewide plan in place. “The lack of a statewide broadband plan in Louisiana is hurting us when it comes to funding expansion programs,” added Senator Mizell. “Funding is critical to the development of infrastructure and infrastructure is necessary to revitalize rural communities.”

Click here to view Senate Resolution 177 and learn more about the Task Force