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Lawmakers and advocates push state action to keep Internet affordable for low-income households
Summary
Witnesses including legislators, city digital-equity officials and nonprofit navigators urged the Joint Committee to advance bills (H.3527 / S.2318 and related proposals) requiring affordable broadband plans for eligible low-income residents after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended.
Legislators, municipal digital-equity officials and nonprofit advocates urged the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy to advance legislation that would ensure low-income households in Massachusetts can access affordable high-speed Internet following the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
Representative Rita Mendez, sponsor of a proposal heard by the committee, described a $15 flat monthly option included in her bill. “So it's a $15 flat rate, and that includes taxes and fees,” Mendez told the committee, saying the plan is intended for qualified low-income consumers in communities such as Brockton where adoption gaps remain.
Senator Brendan P. (Senator Peano in transcript) and other…
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