Creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in connectivity projects.
Close the Digital Divide:
Over 1.3 million Texas households – an estimated 2.1 million Texans– still don’t have quality broadband service at home according to data from the U.S. Census. That means more than 1 of every 10 Texas households is unable to attend online classes, see a healthcare provider from their living room, fill out a job application online, start a business or access online marketplaces from their kitchen table. These barriers negatively affect Texans’ quality of life and limit economic opportunities for people and the state overall.
Proposition 8 will help close the digital divide in Texas by helping rural, underserved, and remote areas gain expanded access to high-speed internet.
Smart Fiscal and Economic Policy:
Businesses and investors flock to areas that have the necessary infrastructure to support growth. Today, access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Proposition 8 will help maximize state and federal dollars and drive corporate and private investment across Texas, leading to increased revenues and the creation of new, good-paying jobs.
Enhance Public Safety:
Networks require proper investment to deliver reliable broadband service in an increasingly interconnected world.
Proposition 8 will help provide critical upgrades for public safety and next-generation 9-1-1 services to help keep Texans safe.