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Residents urge restoration of county-run free Internet in colonias; commissioners note legal limits
Summary
Residents urged Hidalgo County to restore a pandemic-era free Internet program serving colonias; commissioners said the county lacks statutory authority to run an ongoing Internet service without legislative change.
Residents from multiple colonias and community groups told the Commissioners Court that a county-supported free‑Internet service that operated during the pandemic has been disconnected and should be restored. Speakers said the loss prevents students from doing homework at home, creates travel burdens to libraries or other access points, and harms residents who lack private broadband.
"Free Internet should be a right and is a necessity," resident Laura Garcia told the court during the open‑forum comments. Multiple speakers described children doing homework outside of…
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