By Catherine Pugh,
Special to the AFRO
During the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) several organizations including the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) and their Executive Roundtable met.
The group heard from Herb Tyson, director of Intergovernmental Affairs of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce.
Tyson told the body that broadband equity and accessibility is a goal of this administration. Every state has a $5 million planning grant specifically aimed at getting communities in need “up-to-speed” and connected.
“Every state is guaranteed $100 million in broadband connectivity, however, there is another 800 million dollars available for every state. Determination is based on what your state submits,” said Tyson.
Marc Morial, president, and CEO of the Urban League told a standing room full of people gathered at the braintrust panel that the time is now.
“There is so much money available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure law, the Science and Technology Act and the Inflation Reduction Bill. We must hold our leaders accountable. Black folk should not miss the opportunities that these pieces of legislation could provide for our communities. Hold mayors and governors accountable– demand executive orders be put in place to guarantee equity of distribution of these funds. I am not talking millions. I am talking billions,’’ concluded Morial.
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