Press Release: U.S. Senator Booker Introduces 2017 Community Broadband Act

Press Release: Legislation Introduced in the U.S. Senate to Promote Local Internet Choice

The "Community Broadband Act" is Boosted by Senators Concerned with Competition 

Contact:

Christopher Mitchell

christopher@ilsr.org

612-545-5185

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Community Broadband Act alongside fellow Senators Edward Markey (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). We at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) applaud the effort to ensure communities have the freedom and authority to make local decisions in improving Internet access for local businesses and residents.

"We believe that the decisions about how to expand and improve Internet access are best made by local governments, who are most informed about their communities' needs and challenges," says Christopher Mitchell, director of the Community Broadband Networks initiative at ILSR. "We applaud these senators for their bill to ensure communities can decide for themselves if a partnership or an investment in network infrastructure is the right choice."

At a time when we are seeing fights over municipal broadband networks ramping up from Colorado to Tennessee to Virginia, we are glad to see many in D.C. recognize the value of local decision-making to improve economic development and ensure a high quality of life.

If you're interested in discussing this proposed federal legislation, please give me a call at 612-844-1330 (or reply here), and I can set up an interview with Christopher on this topic.

About Christopher Mitchell:

Christopher Mitchell is the Director of the Community Broadband Networks initiative with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Mitchell leads the acclaimed MuniNetworks.org as part of ILSR's effort to ensure broadband networks are directly accountable to the communities that depend upon them. He is a leading national expert on community networks, advising high-ranking broadband decision-makers and speaking on radio and television programs across the United States.

FOR MORE INFORMATION and to schedule an interview with Christopher, call Nick Stumo-Langer at 612-844-1330 or email stumolanger@ilsr.org.