Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Governor sends message to Connect Kentucky, vetoes increased funding

In January, Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge released a critique of Connect Kentucky calling into question its claim that more than 90 percent of the Bluegrass State has access broadband Internet access thanks to its efforts.

Brodsky now reports Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear declined to approve $2.4 million in additional grant funding for the telco-backed nonprofit, citing the state's tight finances.

Beshear's veto message clearly indicates the governor's skepticism that the additional money will provide any real benefit for Kentucky residents. Perhaps Beshear like me isn't interested in more stalling, paper chase exercises such as mapping broadband availability and creating inflated, self serving statistics and would rather see real, tangible broadband infrastructure being built in order to provide broadband to those without it.

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