BEAUMONT, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday held a press conference at Hamshire-Fannett Elementary School in Beaumont on expanding broadband access across Texas.
Abbott was joined by Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, State Rep. Trent Ashby, and Hamshire-Fannett ISD Superintendent Dwaine Augustine to discuss the importance of reliable broadband for education, business, and health care.
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Earlier this year, Abbott named broadband access an emergency item for the 87th legislative session.
“Broadband access is no longer a luxury, it is an essential tool for all Texans,” Abbott said. “Schools need broadband to connect with students, businesses need it to remain competitive, and our doctors and nurses and their patients need it for telemedicine purposes. The importance of closing the digital divide has never been more clear, and I look forward to working with Speaker Phelan, Representative Ashby, and the rest of the Legislature to expand broadband access to all Texans.”
According to a news release from the governor’s office, Ashby is the author of broadband legislation in the House that would create a state broadband office and a comprehensive broadband plan for Texas.