When it comes to economic survival in rural Texas, rural broadband is key. However, lawmakers of both parties say the federal government doesn’t have its act together when it comes to servicing farm country.
Rural businesses, farms, schools, libraries, hospitals, and homes need help. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is calling for better targeting and coordination in spending hundreds of billions overall on rural broadband.
The state's junior senator adds "there are so many programs, so many pots of money at so many different agencies, all making different grants providing different subsidies" and Cruz continues "it doesn't seem like there is one central authority keeping track of or even coordinating, everything."
Former FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly agreed and suggested that agency (FCC) would best coordinate massive broadband spending, now also handled by USDA and Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration.