5 Apr 2018

Washington State Legislation Paves Way for Fiber Network Deployment

by | Date: 5 Apr 2018 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In March, Washington state legislators passed HB 2664 and sent it on to Governor Jay Inslee, who signed the bill on March 22nd. In the Port of Ridgefield, where the community has been developing plans for a dark fiber network, the community had advocated for the change. Now that the law will be changing for the better, they’re ready to pursue the partnerships they need to spur economic development and improve connectivity for residents and businesses.… Read More
26 Mar 2018

Michigan Law Seeks to Bolster Recycling by Making the Landfill More Expensive

by | Date: 26 Mar 2018 | posted in: waste - recycling based economic development, Waste to Wealth | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Mining Journal reports that Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has proposed an increase in landfill tipping fees as a way to spur more recycling in the state. Michigan has one of the lowest recycling rates in the US at 14%. The bill is now pending in the state legislature’s House Environmental Committee.… Read More
26 Mar 2018

Colorado Legislature Blocks Monopoly Tactic Against Municipal Broadband

by | Date: 26 Mar 2018 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A bill making its way through the Colorado General Assembly is tackling one of the most effective tools that big incumbent ISPs use to secure their positions as monopoly Internet access providers – the right of first refusal. If HB 1099 passes, community leaders and advocates for a competitive broadband market will be able to put a chink in the monopoly armor. Other states may follow their lead.… Read More
9 Mar 2018

Port-Provided Broadband Partnership Bill Passed in Washington State

by | Date: 9 Mar 2018 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Last week we reported about the uncertain position that faced Washington ports might find themselves in, should they decide to bring better connectivity to the areas within and around their service areas. We are pleased to learn that the state legislature saw the light and chose to pass the bill without the proposed harmful Senate amendments. It’s good news, but the final bill isn’t ideal.… Read More
6 Mar 2018

Legislature Preferences Big Telephone and Cable Corporations Over Rural Tennesseans, Again…

by | Date: 6 Mar 2018 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Senator Janice Bowling has long been a champion for rural broadband in Tennessee. On March 6th, her bill SB 1045 came before the Tennessee Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and the members chose not to advance the bill. Once again, big telephone and cable company interests win out over the needs of rural Tennesseans.… Read More

11 Jan 2018

California Legislation Ensures Plastic Manufacturers Bear Responsibility for Product Lifecycle

by | Date: 11 Jan 2018 | posted in: waste - zero waste, Waste to Wealth | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A bill introduced in California to protect the oceans has been developed and supported by the Save the Albatross Coalition, a project of  Zero Waste International Alliance, co chaired by Neil Seldman ILSR and Captain Charles Moore, Algalita Marine Research.  California legislation – AB 319 – would require manufacturers to use bottles that keep bottle caps … Read More
26 Dec 2017

2017 in Review and a Preview of 2018 – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 286

by | Date: 26 Dec 2017 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This is episode 286 of our Community Broadband Bits podcast! Community Broadband Bits is a short weekly podcast featuring interviews with people building community networks or otherwise involved with Internet policy.… Read More
16 Oct 2017

Anti-Municipal Broadband Bill In Michigan Pulls No Punches

by | Date: 16 Oct 2017 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Torpedo legislation aimed at municipal network initiatives don’t usually appear in October, but Michigan’s year-round legislature is making 2017 atypical. Last week, Freshman Representative Michele Hoitenga from the rural village of Manton in Wexford County introduced a bill banning investment in municipal networks. HB 5099 is short; it decrees that local communities cannot use federal, state, or … Read More

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