Murray Introduces Bill to Expand Broadband Internet Access to Underserved Washington State Communities

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
introduced a bill to bring high-speed, affordable broadband to underserved
areas in Washington state and across the country. Senator Murray’s bill would
extend funding for broadband construction by $4 billion and create and save
family-wage construction and maintenance jobs that are critical to economic
recovery.

“This investment will help lay the groundwork to bring
affordable and high-speed broadband to rural and underserved communities in
Washington state and across the country,” said Senator Murray.
“For too long, too many small businesses have lacked the access to resources
they need to help them grow, create jobs and compete in this 21^st
century economy. And for too long, too many communities have lacked access to
tools that could help provide families with better healthcare and better
education. This funding is a critical investment in the future of our
communities and I will continue working to bring broadband to communities in
every corner of Washington state and across the country.”

Senator Murray is a longtime supporter of expanding
broadband access to communities throughout Washington state and has introduced
and supported several bills that aim to bring high-speed internet access to
rural areas including the Community Telecommunications Planning Act, the
Broadband Internet Access Act and the Rural Broadband Enhancement Act. She has
also worked to include funding for access programs in the Farm Bill and
Recovery Act. Senator Murray has also chaired conferences around the state,
aimed at helping small and rural communities take advantage of new
telecommunications technologies.