Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) hosted a virtual briefing on the importance of fast, reliable internet connectivity in Nevada, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. During the conversation, panelists discussed real examples of broadband challenges and opportunities in online education and telehealth, and community members described their experiences with broadband projects throughout the state of Nevada.
“Like Americans all over the country, Nevadans have had to rely on the internet during the coronavirus pandemic for work, school, medical appointments, commerce, and critical health information. The current crisis has only highlighted the ongoing need for internet access for all—including the 180,000 Nevadans who lack access to quality broadband. I was glad to have this opportunity to hear more from community leaders, parents, and students all over the Silver State about their experiences with broadband access and equipment, and I’ll be taking what I’ve learned back to Washington to get Nevadans the resources they need to be connected.”
A full video of the briefing can be found here.
BACKGROUND:
Senator Cortez Masto has pushed for expanded broadband for underserved rural and urban communities as part of her Innovation State Initiative by working on various bills, including introducing the bipartisan Connected Rural Schools and ACCESS BROADBAND Acts, as well as co-leading on legislation to make it easier for schools to put Wi-Fi technology on buses. These bills will help Nevada’s schools and libraries, local governments, and small businesses access federal programs while also mandating the transparency and oversight needed to ensure we’re spending federal funds wisely. Many of these provisions are included in the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which Senator Cortez Masto has co-led with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). More information about Senator Cortez Masto’s work regarding broadband access is available here.
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