Rep. McNally, CWA Host Press Conference Urging State to Protect Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) and members of Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) hosted a press conference at the Statehouse to share important updates to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.  The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided nearly $800M in federal grants to provide Ohio the opportunity to build broadband infrastructure and help decrease the digital divide across the state. Currently, 15% of Ohioans do not have access to the internet.  

“Reliable internet access is a lifeline today and it is so important that we close the digital divide between Ohioans. However, a few weeks ago, the Ohio House passed a budget that cuts $100M in library funding. Libraries are some people’s only access point to the internet. Furthermore, the president is trying to change the rules of the BEAD program when it is so close to being implemented. The BEAD program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build the infrastructure that will connect the unconnected, lower costs for families, and create good-paying union jobs right here in Ohio. I encourage all those involved to stay the course and not make last minute changes that will be more expensive and less reliable,” said Rep. McNally.

Although this program is in its final stages, President Trump and his administration are overhauling the BEAD program and are encouraging more satellite internet service, as opposed to the more reliable and more affordable fiber-optic cables. Some believe that this change is because one of President Trump’s top advisors, Elon Musk, owns a satellite service company, Starlink.

During the press conference, representatives of CWA, Frank Mathews and Ron Gay, explained that a course reversal now would be detrimental to the program. They explained that the delay did not come from ‘woke BEAD requirements’ as the president said but came from requirements to do nationwide mapping and each state creating and running their own program. The president’s changes will cause more delays and will throw out years of work and approvals.

"Rural Ohio deserves fiber broadband. If we shortchange rural customers and go on the cheap with alternative products like Satellite , we will just be creating another digital divide down the road. Ohio broadband leaders should stay the course with fiber to all, where possible,” said Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for Communications Workers of America District 4.

“Fiber is the best performing technology of today and tomorrow. CWA members know from on-the-job training and experience that fiber-optic broadband is superior to other technologies. We can’t allow public dollars to go towards expensive and unreliable satellite companies where fiber is the responsible choice. Ohio's workers and citizens deserve better,” said Ron Gay, Staff Representative for Communications Workers of America District 4.

After the press conference, CWA members met with Governor DeWine’s office and shared a petition urging him to not make any changes to the BEAD program implementation plan.

To access the CWA’s petition asking Gov. DeWine to continue to create good, union jobs by investing in reliable, high speed fiber internet, click here.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture of Rep. McNally at the press conference is attached to this press release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democrats.