State Representative Roberta Willis

February 6, 2011

REP. WILLIS WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT EFFORTS
TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET
Attends Monday’s Broadband Briefing In Torrington

State Representative Roberta Willis (D-64th District), who has championed the expansion and improvement of high speed internet access in Connecticut, particularly in underserved regions of the state, will continue to support policies and legislation that makes broadband technologies accessible to all state residents.

Rep. Willis attended Monday’s Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering’s (CASE) briefing on guidelines and development of a strategic plan for broadband accessibility at the Northwest Connecticut’s Chamber of Commerce in Torrington. Area business leaders and persons interested about broadband access were invited to the briefing which also included the state Office of Consumer Council.

Rep. Willis, House Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, praised the sponsors of Monday’s briefing and said she welcomed the call for state support of a broadband cabinet.

“We will only succeed if there is a collaborative effort between the private and public sector,” Rep. Willis said. “High speed internet is crucial to economic growth there is a need to work together to ensure we close the digital divide in our region and in our state.

Rep. Willis added that she agrees with the report that while Connecticut does have some of the highest broadband access in the nation, there are critical segments of the population that lack broadband access due to many factors including the need of internet connections and the cost of broadband technology.

Rep. Willis has sponsored legislation that would improve broadband access and she is prepared to introduce additional legislation in the 2012 session that moves the process forward.

“We do need to continue to work towards a statewide broadband strategic plan,” Rep. Willis said. “While we have made some progress, we have much more to do and I will continue to support policies that will help us reach our goal.”