Federal Investment in Broadband Will Help New York Lawyers
7.5.2023
On June 26, President Joe Biden announced that New York State will receive $664,618,251.49 in federal money for investment in broadband.
This money will be allocated over two years and was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
In 2021, the New York State Bar Association recognized the need for increased funding for broadband and made this a federal priority.
The pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders left millions of Americans working, educating and socializing in a virtual world. It became abundantly clear that broadband service is an important communications tool that has become vitally necessary for educational purposes and medical care, as well as access to justice.
There is a significant lack of technology infrastructure in vast areas of New York State and only limited service in some upstate regions.
The president’s plan is to ensure all Americans are connected by 2030. The historic measure will advance this goal by closing the digital divide so Americans, regardless of where they live, will be connected to work, health and legal opportunities.
