Maine lawmakers support broadband investment
A long overdue investment in the state’s Internet access infrastructure could come in the form of $1 million diverted from the state’s general fund, with an annual budgetary increase to the agency overlooking broadband access across Maine, if a bill that gained committee support eventually becomes law.
With a vote of 9-3 on Tuesday, the Legislature’s Energy and Utilities Committee voted to support a proposal by Rep. Robert Saucier, D-Presque Isle, that’s co-sponsored by Republican and Democratic legislators from rural districts across Maine.
If the bill, LD 826, passes, $1 million would be diverted from the General Fund to the ConnectME Authority, with an annual appropriation that would almost double its annual budget of $1.1 million, according to The Portland Press Herald.
Currently, ConnectMe is funded by a .25% surcharge on communications providers in Maine, including landline telephone and Internet Service Providers.
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