South Carolina Rep. Marvin Pendarvis tells Congress to fully fund the ACP.

NewDEAL Forum spearheaded a coordinated, bipartisan effort among state and local elected officials to encourage Congress to fully fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides essential internet access to more than 22 million families.

North Dakota Representatives Josh Boschee and Mike Brandenburg call on Congress to fully fund the ACP.

A bipartisan group of members of the U.S. House and Senate introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, which would ensure adequate funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for 2024 by appropriating $7 billion for the broadband subsidy.

Co-chairs of the NewDEAL Forum’s Broadband Task Force have asked Congressional leaders for an additional $7 billion of funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), an initiative created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that subsidizes high-speed internet for more than 20 million Americans, with more eligible to participate, and is projected to run out of funding in the coming months.

NewDEAL Forum releases policy recommendations and best practices gathered during a visit of state and local officials to study Mayor Schaaf’s initiatives to provide students with “Cradle to College” support and address the digital divide.

A lasting image from early in the pandemic is of two students sitting on the curb in a fast-food restaurant parking lot, using the restaurant’s Wi-Fi to complete their schoolwork. The pandemic exposed how much our lives have moved online—from work to education to health care to government services—and the deep divide between those with and without internet access.

Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, San Jose, CA Mayor Sam Liccardo, and Florida State Senator Loranne Ausley, who are co-chairs on the NewDEAL Forum Broadband Task Force and members of the NewDEAL Leaders network, applauded today’s announcement of a White House partnership with 20 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide high-speed and affordable internet plans. The announcement also included the launch of GetInternet.gov to help families and individuals navigate options and resources to access home broadband.

A new report from the NewDEAL Forum shows different ways that states and local areas can address the digital divide. The report examines approaches from Texas, California, Colorado and several other states.