Policy Resolution TST-20-48

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) supports the various strategies and partnerships with local governments to close the digital divide;

WHEREAS, the National Urban League’s 2018 State of Black America report indicated that the number of African Americans who hold degrees in STEM is below the average of other ethnic groups and at tech companies, less than five percent of employees are Black;

WHEREAS, more than 30 percent of low-income families with school age children lack home internet service;

WHEREAS, 5G network will spur about $1 trillion in global GDP over the next three years and it is estimated that by 2021, 82% of all internet traffic will be from video;

WHEREAS, 5G access will change how consumers digest media, purchase products, services and operate their homes, and in the workplace, 5G underlies immense potential for automation and proliferation of intelligent environments;

WHEREAS, faster 5G broadband contributes to job creation, economic growth and business investment, improves access to critical healthcare services, and expands access to educational resources and opportunities;

WHEREAS, access to 5G broadband provides multiple economic and social benefits to rural residents by allowing access to vital government services and resources;

WHEREAS, faster 5G Broadband access for rural communities and farmers and ranchers would allow for improved stewardship of our natural resources through the use of technology to monitor and measure water and soil conditions and usage; and

WHEREAS, US Department of Housing and Urban Development in coordination with EveryoneON launched Connect HomeUSA to eliminate the digital divide in the United States by helping provide high-speed internet, low cost computers, and digital literacy courses to the unconnected.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) encourages communities and all municipalities to participate in the federal program through the U.S Housing and Urban Development (HUD) called ConnectHomeUSA that aims to reach 100 new communities in the United States by 2021; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the Unites States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Senator Audrey Gibson (FL) and Representative KC Ohaebosim (KS)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Telecommunications, Science, and Technology Policy Committee
  
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Senator Audrey Gibson (FL) and Representative KC Ohaebosim (KS)
  
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 6, 2019
  
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President