Gov. Abbott’s Broadband Development Council recently released its 2020 report to the Texas Legislature. The council recommends that the Texas Legislature create a state broadband plan and establish a statewide broadband office. In addition, the report recommends the continued study of a state broadband funding program to incentivize deployment to underserved areas.
Counties continue to closely monitor this issue as the lack of connectivity in rural Texas creates barriers for accessing telepsychiatry and telemedicine. The COVID-19 outbreak also highlights the lack of access for online learning for rural schools. These same challenges appear in economically disadvantaged urban communities.
Floyd County Judge Marty Lucke serves on the council; his term expires on August 31, 2024.
For more information about this article or the report, contact Rick Thompson.