Missouri – Attorney General Andrew Bailey, along with Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins, has taken a major step by writing a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in effort to improve the internet connectivity throughout rural Missouri. In the letter, AG Bailey is advocating the FCC to return defaulted Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) payments back to Missouri. This project intends to increase broadband services in underprivileged areas, therefore supporting the state’s dedication to provide every citizen with consistent and reasonably priced internet access.
The call for action comes in the wake of disappointing news that the RDOF’s initial promise to connect approximately 85,000 service locations in Missouri will not be fulfilled. Originally allocated for Missouri’s digital infrastructure development, this gap has caused an astounding loss of about $177 million in federal funding. The redirected funds are crucial for the state’s ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide affecting its rural communities.
Attorney General Bailey confirmed his intention to apply current legislation and precedents to guarantee the reimbursement of these money to Missouri.
“As Attorney General, I will enforce the laws as written, which includes ensuring the FCC follows precedent and returns the allocated funding to Missouri families who depend daily on internet access,” said Attorney General Bailey. “My office will continue to fight to gain affordable internet service and to save Missourians’ taxpayer money.”
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Echoing Bailey’s sentiments, Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins highlighted the necessity for accountability from both internet service providers and governmental agencies involved in the allocation and distribution of these funds.
“Missourians expect accountability, both from internet service providers who receive incentives and from the government entity that distributes their tax dollars. Returning these defaulted funds to Missouri will enable our state to serve people that have been left behind and are still waiting for reliable and affordable broadband,” Hawkins said.
The great importance broadband plays in rural regions emphasizes how urgently this has to be corrected. Modern agriculture depends on internet access; however, so do education, telemedicine, and daily commercial operations in these communities.
“Rural Americans rely on affordable and reliable internet access to run their households, businesses, and farms. We rely on broadband for telemedicine, education, and access to everyday necessities in our increasingly digital world. Ensuring access to state-of-the-art broadband technology is key to helping rural communities grow and thrive into the future and beyond, and access to this service is key as we seek to bring the next generation home to our communities,” Missouri AG added.
Bailey concluded his appeal and urged the FCC to act right away to send the money back to their originally intended use. This action would not only rebuild credibility in the federal financing process but also encourage closer cooperation between state and federal governments, therefore improving governance and increasing community service output.
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By being proactive, Missouri’s policymakers show an unwavering determination to make sure every resident of the state may use the digital tools required for success in the 21st century. The full text of the letter addressed to the FCC is available for public review, underscoring the transparency and serious attention this issue commands at the highest levels of state governance.
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