Texas Broadband Expansion Plan to Debut Mid June / Public News Service

An official plan to increase broadband in Texas is due out June 15, after state officers traveled close to and much to accumulate public feedback on web entry and affordability.

Tim Morstad, affiliate state director for AARP Texas, mentioned the pandemic highlighted equal entry to high-speed web is crucial and now not a “nice-to-have” luxurious.

“We’ve got to get access to high-speed internet, and we’ve got to make sure it’s affordable, and we’ve got to make sure people have the skills to utilize it,” Morstad outlined. “I picture it as a three-legged stool to make sure that we can really unlock the potential for older Texans.”

Texas lawmakers handed laws final yr to create the Texas Broadband Development Office. Currently, the state has entry to $500 million in federal cash by way of COVID-19-related grants with more cash promised by way of the federal infrastructure regulation House Bill 3684 11/15/2021.

The geographic dimension of Texas is a problem for connecting individuals to dependable web, particularly in rural areas, however Morstad expects Texans will admire the advantages when the work is completed.

“For older Texans, it has the ability to unlock things like telehealth,” Morstad defined. “It will also allow older Texans to stay connected, whether that’s with friends or families or caregivers.”

Morstad added half of those that belong to AARP Texas are between the ages of fifty and 64 and nonetheless very lively within the office. It means if they’re searching for a job, they want inexpensive, high-speed web to discover out what’s on the market and the way to apply.

“And some of them, you can work from home, but only if you’re connected,” Morstad identified. “So we really want to see high-speed internet pushed out there further across our state, so these opportunities are available to older Texans.”

Later this yr, the Texas broadband workplace expects to problem a map of the state, property by property, to present the place growth is required.

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May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and state officers are encouraging Coloradans to stand up to velocity on prevention and emergency-exit methods if evacuation notices are issued.

Rocco Snart, the planning department chief with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, mentioned it is by no means too early to put together.

Make a listing of all of the stuff you want to take with you, together with per week’s price of prescription medicines. Next, discover a place you may go, and make plans to get there.

He mentioned you do not need to be in a rush if you go away your home.

“You want to try to make that on your own terms, so that you can make sure that you’ve collected everything that you need,” mentioned Snart. “If you need a walker, and you need to get it in a vehicle, or if you need to arrange to get a ride to come and pick you up, the earlier you can work on those things, the better.”

Snart mentioned make certain your insurance coverage insurance policies and private identification paperwork are up to date, and make copies to your emergency journey package – which must also embrace N95 masks to shield your self from smoke inhalation.

A whole guidelines for catastrophe preparedness is accessible at Ready.gov.

The group Wildfire Partners works with Mile High Youth Corps in Denver to present wildfire-mitigation providers for free of charge to older residents.

Snart mentioned even small steps might help. Make positive timber and vegetation are nicely hydrated, and when you reside close to open areas, scale back vegetation to create a buffer round your home.

“Make sure that any deck materials are taken care of and not splintered,” mentioned Snart. “I mean, a deck with splintered wood and wood that’s breaking down looks like a campfire for embers, right?”

Climate change is projected to create longer wildfire seasons in years forward, with fires turning into extra frequent and intense. Snart mentioned this new actuality can lead to a way of denial, however he encourages everybody to take time to be ready.

“That’s not going to happen in my neighborhood, that’s not going to happen in my subdivision,” mentioned Snart. “And the reality of it is, it can happen anywhere. In the Front Range, in the mountains, wherever there is fuel and homes next to one another.”

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Groups advocating for older New Yorkers say a invoice handed by the New York State Senate would assist degree the enjoying discipline for utility clients.

Currently, when utilities go to the New York Public Service Commission to request a charge hike, they will apply to be reimbursed for gadgets like professional witness charges and different prices related to the proceedings.

Bill Ferris, state legislative consultant for AARP New York, mentioned the laws would give the identical choice to teams of ratepayers or nonprofits difficult charge will increase.

“Ratepayers were paying the business expenses of utilities to raise their own rates,” Ferris identified. “Now, we’re leveling the playing field, making sure that ratepayers can get reimbursed for their rates at the table at the Public Service Commission, to protect themselves.”

Ferris famous particularly throughout the pandemic, extra New Yorkers over 50 have reported struggling to pay their utility payments. According to the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, practically 20% of New Yorkers mentioned they have been unable to pay an power invoice in full within the final 12 months. The laws is now within the State Assembly.

Ferris added because the summer time months strategy, individuals are involved about paying to cool their properties, and having the ability to warmth them in winter is simply as necessary.

“It’s very important to keep the lights on, so to speak,” Ferris emphasised. “This legislation is designed to help people have more of a voice in Albany when utilities come in and try to raise the rates. We want to have as much consumer/ratepayer representation at the negotiation table.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul lately introduced $15 million will likely be made obtainable by way of the Home Energy Assistance Program to assist low-income households with out air con cool their properties this summer time.

While it beforehand was obtainable just for these with medical circumstances exacerbated by excessive warmth, eligibility has been expanded to all income-eligible New Yorkers. Applications are open till both the top of August or when funds run out.

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Pennsylvania lawmakers and neighborhood leaders gathered in Montgomery County Wednesday, urging the General Assembly to use $204 million in unspent American Rescue Plan funds to assist older adults by way of property tax and hire rebates.

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax Rent Rebate Program has delivered greater than $7 billion to older adults and other people with disabilities for greater than 50 years.

Rep. Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery, mentioned his older constituents are dealing with many monetary challenges, together with rising prescription drug prices. He emphasised growing the rebate might be a lifeline for them.

“Too many are struggling to stay in their homes and stay connected to the neighbors they call friends because their property tax bills or rent payments are rising beyond their control,” Malagari noticed. “I know how critical the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program is in Pennsylvania and how critical it is to the seniors living here.”

The funding can be a one-time bonus, doubling current rebates, with an estimated 466,000 Pennsylvanians receiving an extra common rebate of $475.

Gazi Razzak has lived in Lansdale for twenty-four years and is a recipient of the rebate program. He mentioned any will increase to this system will likely be useful, particularly for seniors like him, who’re on a restricted revenue.

“Right now, it is very tough because prices are rising. Food prices are record high,” Razzak identified. “Support for expanding the rebate is needed more than ever.”

Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery, has launched Senate Bill 1187, which might create the one-time bonus rebate. It was referred to the Urban Affairs and Housing Committee in April.

In Montgomery County, the Property Tax Rent Rebate program benefited greater than 13,000 residents who obtained a complete of $6.4 million {dollars}. Nearly 75% of the recipients had been age 65 and older.

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