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Broadband quality dispute surfaces as Renner urges tougher oversight
Summary
Senator Renner accused some grant-funded broadband builds of substandard construction and urged the committee to use audits and independent reviews; a broadband oversight member disputed that characterization and cited prior testimony.
A heated exchange over broadband project quality punctuated the Joint Information Technology Oversight Committee’s Dec. 13 meeting, as one member described widespread construction problems and others pushed back.
Senator Renner said she had heard from constituents and former government IT workers who reported ‘‘substandard build’’ practices on some grant-funded broadband projects — including undersized fiber installations and overhead versus pole deployment — and said she had asked staff for independent reviews that she expected under statute 3303. "Seriously, it's the biggest scam in Vermont," she said, characterizing projects she believes were funded despite being unlikely to deliver the intended service.
A committee member who also sits on the Vermont Communications Broadband Board disputed that summary, saying the board provides oversight and noting that Christine Halquist had provided testimony the committee could rely on. That member said opinions differ and urged the committee to evaluate existing reports before concluding systemic misconduct.
The exchange focused less on new documentary evidence and more on conflicting firsthand accounts: Renner described constituent and worker observations of poor construction and alleged problematic incentives for some contractors; the broadband oversight member responded that prior oversight work and testimony should be considered and asked members to keep an open mind.
No formal finding or vote resulted from the discussion. Members asked that Senator Renner’s written memo and any independent reviews be shared with the committee and posted to the web page so the incoming committee can review documentary evidence early in the next session.
Next steps: committee members recommended compiling the cited audit and independent-review materials so the incoming JITOC and related standing committees can assess broadband project quality with supporting documentation.
