The Honorable Aaron Michelewitz The Honorable Michael J. Rodrigues
Chair, House Ways and Means Chair, Senate Ways and Means Means
State House, Room 243 State House, Room 212
Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Boston, Massachusetts 02133
The Honorable Denise Garlick The Honorable Cindy F. Friedman
Vice Chair, House Ways and Means Vice Chair, Senate Ways and Means
State House, Room 238 State House, Room 208
Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Boston, Massachusetts 02133
The Honorable Todd M. Smola The Honorable Patrick M O’Connor
State House, Room 124 State House, Room 419
Boston, Massachusetts 02133 Boston, Massachusetts 02133
Dear Honorable Conferees:
We are writing today in support of the Broadband Equity Commission amendment that was put forward by both Chairwoman Peisch and Chairman Lewis. Given, the deep impact the digital divide has had on students and families, we respectfully ask that the conference committee adopt the House language in the final budget that will ultimately be sent to the Governor for his consideration.
In response to the pressing need to address digital equity for students and families, the Broadband Equity Commission will:
1. Further examine the latest research on the impact the digital divide is having on the students in the Commonwealth in both Gateway and Rural communities
2. Evaluate new and existing federal and state resources
3. Explore near term interventions, long term initiatives, such as municipal broadband, better digital training, public wifi, and expanding subsidized accounts
4. Assess regulatory and policy obstacles at the state and municipal level
5. Review various funding sources including but not limited state, philanthropic, and future federal COVID-19 relief packages,
6. Work towards deepening the Commonwealth’s understanding of the impact the digital divide is having on students and families and produce timely recommendations for the consideration of legislative leaders.
We strongly believe that this proactive approach to addressing the digital divide will help us ensure that all students in the Commonwealth continue to receive an equitable education throughout the duration of the pandemic and beyond. In recognition of the possibility the pandemic may impact our student learning for many years, this proactive approach of establishing the Broadband Equity Commission will aid in planning and coordination of our response to student and family needs in our gateway and rural communities.
Collectively, we acknowledge that there have been substantive efforts made by the legislature, DESE, and local districts to mitigate the worst impacts of the pandemic on student learning. However, establishing the Broadband Equity Commission is another important step as it will provide the Commonwealth with another opportunity to work with key stakeholders to put forward well-research policy and practice recommendations that would fundamentally improve the social determinants of education for all students and families. The future of our children, workforce, economy, and the Commonwealth depend on our ability to provide equitable access to broadband and all the services dependent on internet connectivity.
Your consideration of the Broadband Equity Commission will allow us to collectively better serve our most vulnerable students and families across the Commonwealth, and to work towards viable and equitable solutions to close the digital divide,
It is for these reasons that we humbly urge the conference committee to support the House language for the Broadband Equity Commission. We thank all of the conferees for their consideration.