Tell Cuomo to Sign the Broadband Bill NOW

This July we won a major victory in the New York State legislature. After the pandemic demonstrated how absolutely vital broadband access is to our communities, the New York State Assembly and Senate overwhelmingly passed the Broadband Data Collection Bill (A.6679/S.5696), requiring the State to study the availability of broadband access throughout the state. This bill will finally make clear what we’ve known for years: many New Yorkers simply do not have access to truly high-speed affordable broadband, and our state needs to do better.

But five months later, the bill still hasn’t been signed into law. Call 1-855-979-3344 right now to urge Governor Cuomo to sign the Broadband Data Collection Bill today.

With just a few weeks left for Governor Cuomo to sign this bill, we need to make sure he gets the message loud and clear: every New Yorker needs affordable broadband access, and the first step is getting an accurate picture of who does or doesn’t have it now.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has moved much of our lives online, the importance of access to universal, high-speed, affordable broadband has never been clearer. Internet access is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity.

While the New York State Broadband Program Office’s website states that there is virtually universal broadband access in the state, we know that this is simply not true. Our bill would require the Public Service Commission to collect more accurate data to assess who has and does not have access to affordable broadband. Accurate broadband mapping is the vital first step in closing the digital divide - and potentially creating more work for CWA members.

We must make sure this bill gets signed.

Take two minutes right now to call 1-855-979-3344 and leave a message with Governor Cuomo’s office, telling him to sign the Broadband Data Collection Bill today for the good of all New Yorkers.