[1st-mile-nm] Gov. Lujan Grisham signs measures advancing broadband connection and development

[Drew Einhorn]

   - Look at the incumbent carriers' behavior in the past.
   - Consider the Second Amended Settlement Agreement.
      - The lawsuits that led to it.
      - And, everything that followed.
   - We can be sure:
   - They will attempt to take all the money and run.
      - They will attempt to claim whatever results from this is their
      property.
      - They will not willingly share any resources.
      - They will attempt to prevent all competition.
      - They will not invest any of their own money.
      - The commission must ensure that the people and State of New Mexico
      get what they pay for.


On Fri, Apr 9, 2021 at 4:09 PM Nan Rubin <nanrubin at gmail.com> wrote:

> I spoke to a number of people about this proposed legislation before it
> was passed, and to me it seemed like they were extremely strong on the need
> for a real state - wide coordinator who could pull together the disparate
> interests of various agencies, plus keep an eye on opportunities for
> federal funding..
>
> This development is very positive in terms of what the state needs. But
> it's absolutely worth keeping an eye on where the funding will go, and how
> much the for-profit providers Will be allowed to get large contracts and
> still not deliver service. There's going to be a lot of money floating
> around, especially when the new infrastructure bill is passed by Congress,
> since broadband is a major part of the bill.
>
>  The broadband office here will definitely be looking at how we can get
> some of that money and deploy it where needed. The oversight board needs to
> be really representative of and non profit organizations, agencies and
> residents, and not tilted towards providers..It's true that covid put the
> digital divide in stark relief, but it's not true that the patchwork of hot
> spots etc offered a long-term solution. This might be the opportunity to
> truly develop a broadband strategy that will be implemented.
>  Nan Rubin
> Community Media services
> Las Cruces
> Z
> On Fri, Apr 9, 2021, 12:59 PM Eric Renz-Whitmore <ewhitmore at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I'm curious what folks in this group think.
>>
>> Any particular opportunities missed - and/or any aspects of this that
>> merit continued eyes and engagement?
>>
>> e
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 9, 2021 at 10:50 AM Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Gov. Lujan Grisham signs measures advancing broadband connection and
>>> development
>>>
>>> Apr 7, 2021 | Press Releases
>>>
>>> https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/04/07/gov-lujan-grisham-signs-measures-advancing-broadband-connection-and-development/
>>>
>>> SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday signed a pair of
>>> measures moving the state one step closer to providing New Mexico with
>>> the broadband capacity to connect all New Mexicans to reliable,
>>> high-speed internet.
>>>
>>> Senate Bill 93 establishes an Office of Broadband Access and Expansion
>>> to centralize and coordinate broadband activities across state
>>> government agencies, local governmental bodies, tribal governmental
>>> organizations and internet service providers. The Office of Broadband
>>> will be responsible for developing a three-year broadband strategic and
>>> operational plan providing guiding principles and operational criteria
>>> for significant broadband deployment and expansion for New Mexico.
>>>
>>> House Bill 10 establishes the Connect New Mexico Fund and the Connect
>>> New Mexico Council, which will provide state grant funding for broadband
>>> infrastructure statewide and conduct and enact oversight and
>>> accountability requirements; the legislation also significantly
>>> increases the annual distribution for broadband infrastructure from the
>>> State Rural Universal Service Fund.
>>>
>>> The broadband office will conduct statewide meetings for the purpose of
>>> gathering recommendations and feedback on how to best move forward with
>>> existing stakeholder plans for broadband expansion for all New Mexicans.
>>>
>>> The Connect New Mexico Council will consist of 15 members who will
>>> oversee $130 million in broadband grant and infrastructure
>>> appropriations made in the 2021 session.
>>>
>>> Sponsors of the two measures included Sen. Michael Padilla, Sen. Liz
>>> Stefanics, Rep. Natalie Figueroa, Rep. Joy Garratt, Rep. Susan Herrera,
>>> Rep. Candie Sweetser and Rep. Christine Chandler.
>>>
>>> “The pandemic has underscored the urgent need for reliable internet
>>> access for every single student and family and business,” said Gov.
>>> Lujan Grisham. “We must and we will provide every New Mexican with
>>> quality and affordable broadband service, and these measures advance the
>>> subject.”
>>>
>>> “Today marks a giant step forward for New Mexico,” said Sen. Michael
>>> Padilla. “The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion will help
>>> centralize and coordinate our efforts to build out a broadband
>>> infrastructure that will bring economic development, distance learning
>>> and telehealth delivery across the state, including some of the hardest
>>> to reach areas. And, this office could help generate close to a billion
>>> dollars in federal funding for New Mexico – critical dollars that will
>>> go toward ensuring comprehensive coverage and the best use of the latest
>>> technologies. Thank you Governor Lujan Grisham for signing this
>>> important legislation.”
>>>
>>> “A centralized and focused effort to deliver broadband across New Mexico
>>> will be an economic driver for business owners, remote workers, and
>>> companies looking to relocate to New Mexico and invest in new
>>> technologies, “ said Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes.
>>>
>>> “The digital divide is nothing new, but the pandemic made it clear that
>>> closing it must be a priority for New Mexico if we’re going to honor our
>>> commitment to provide every child with a full and equitable education,”
>>> said Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart. “Through public-,,
>>> private
>>> partnerships, we narrowed the divide considerably this year by getting
>>> many school children the access they needed to digital devices and
>>> high-speed internet. With this legislation, we’re on the path to close
>>> that divide once and for all.”
>>>
>>> “The pandemic exposed the tremendous need for communications
>>> infrastructure in our rural and tribal communities,” said Indian Affairs
>>> Secretary Lynn Trujillo. “Broadband access will help our students
>>> succeed, local businesses thrive, and will ensure vital information
>>> reaches every citizen in our state.”
>>>
>>> “I look forward to working closely with the council members in
>>> formulating a broadband framework plan that encompasses strategic
>>> planning, program oversight, and grant award methodologies,” said
>>> Information and Technology Secretary John Salazar. “Many members of the
>>> legislature on both sides of the aisle worked diligently over the past
>>> year to understand the challenges we face in bringing broadband to New
>>> Mexico and ensure passage of this much-needed legislation. We look
>>> forward to working with them and stakeholders from a wide range of
>>> communities in the months ahead to ensure every New Mexican can get the
>>> reliable and affordable internet access they need and deserve.”
>>>
>>> The governor on Wednesday also signed Senate Bill 204, sponsored by Sen.
>>> Michael Padilla, to provide access to the State Rural Universal Services
>>> Fund to Sacred Wind Communications, which delivers broadband access to
>>> the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
>>> 1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
>>> Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
>>> rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 1st-mile-nm mailing list
>>> 1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org
>>> http://mailman.dcn.org/mailman/listinfo/1st-mile-nm
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> ___
>>
>> Eric Renz-Whitmore
>> community centered economic development
>>
>>      twitter: @ewhitmore
>>      cell:  (505) 227-1086
>>
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-- 
Drew Einhorn
Where are we going?
And, why am I in this handbasket?
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