Overview
With manufacturing jobs on the decline, high-speed Internet access is a critical building block as we grow into a 21st Century economy. Unfortunately, media giants like Comcast and Verizon have been unwilling to provide service to many areas of the state, leaving many consumers in a digital dark-age. Even in places where high-speed Internet is readily available, it's often unaffordable for low-income consumers.
Cities and counties across North Carolina have begun to fill the void left by private companies. The cities of Wilson, Salisbury, Laurinburg, Fayetteville, and Morganton are all working to provide internet service to their communities. Local governments in Mecklenburg, Nash, and Randolph counties are also working to offer broadband service to their constituents.
Unfortunately, H1587 would impose unworkable financial restrictions and requirements on any local government seeking to provide their constituents with Internet service.
H1587 precludes local governments from using any revenue other than what's generated by the broadband service to pay off the costs of the system and forces local governments to include the cost of taxes in the rates they offer consumers. Among others, these requirements would effectively force many communities around the state to go without quality internet access, limiting their capacity for economic growth.
NCPIRG opposes H1857 and is actively working with allies and mayors from across the state to ensure that we get North Carolina on-line.
