Rep. Robinson statement as House passes bill to expand broadband access to underserved Ohioans

State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) today applauded the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 2, a long-held Democratic priority that would create the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program, specifically designed to bring broadband access to unserved residential households in both rural and urban areas of the state.

“Access to high speed internet has been important for some time now as we continue to make computer-science advances and we become more dependent on the internet to do various basic essentials of our day. In the midst of a pandemic, the internet is even more essential with virtual classes for our children and Ohioans working and living during social distancing. 

I proudly support and voted for HB 2, attempting to solve a 30 year old problem in Ohio. HB 2 prioritizes investment in areas like Cleveland, Garfield Heights, and Maple Heights. I know many of my constituents either work in those areas or have friends and family in those communities.

Whether you live in the city or farmland, whether economically struggling or more isolated in your community, in the modern era everyone deserves access to an efficient and working pipeline of digital information,” said Rep. Robinson

HB 2 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. 

Click here to see a copy of the Broadband Expansion Priority Areas Investment Map.