Save Municipal Broadband in Ohio!

June 28, 2021 UPDATE:

Ohio Budget Passes WITHOUT putting limits on municipal broadband!

Thank you!

On Wednesday, June 9th, the Ohio State Senate passed a 815 page budget.

Surprisingly, a policy outlawing municipal broadband was included in the Omnibus portion of the bill.

Ohio House Bill 110, which is the House’s chance to weigh in on the statewide budget, will come to a vote in the coming days and no later than June 30.

We’re asking our residents, and residents across the State to get in touch with their State Senators and House Representatives to tell them to strip out the language banning municipal broadband service as well as directing Federal Rescue Act funding to broadband initiatives. Tell them to preserve FairlawnGig today and protect your own chance for better broadband tomorrow, no matter where you live. The language was introduced into the Ohio Senate’s version of the budget bill with no opportunity for public comment. Let’s take that opportunity now with our state elected officials.

Local Governments Push Back

6/14/21

Summit County’s Council passed opposition to HB 110 by an overwhelming 11-0 margin. Click to see the resolution. Better broadband isn’t a partisan issue!

6/14/21

Summit County’s Council passed opposition to HB 110 by an overwhelming 11-0 margin. Click to see the resolution. Better broadband isn’t a partisan issue!

6/18/21

Letter of Opposition from County Executive Ilene Shapiro

6/17/21

Mayor of Silver Lake, Ohio Sends Opposition to Senate Omnibus Budget Amendment to Governor Dewine and Lt Governor Husted

6/17/21

Letter of Opposition from Summit County Public Health

6/17/21

Letter of Opposition from Mayor of Village of Lakemore

6/17/21

Letter of Opposition from the University of Akron President

6/17/21

Resolution from Village of Reminderville

6/16/21

Township Association* of Summit County Passes Resolution Opposing Provisions of the Ohio Senate Omnibus Budget Amendment

*Includes Bath, Boston, Copley, Coventry, Northfield Center, Richfield, Sagamore Hills, Springfield, Twinsburg, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas

6/16/21

Letter of Opposition from City of Barberton Mayor

6/15/21

Village of Clinton Legislation Opposing Provisions of the Ohio State Omnibus Budget Amendment

6/15/21

City of Munroe Falls, Ohio Passes Resolution in Opposition to the Ohio State Senate Omnibus Budget Amendment

6/15/21

Letter of Opposition from City of Tallmadge Mayor

6/15/21

Resolution from Summit County Council

6/15/21

Letter of Opposition from City of Cuyahoga Falls Mayor

6/15/21

Letter of Opposition from Coventry Township Council

Industry Support

Television News Coverage

6/23/21

Lt. Gov. Husted discussed broadband expansion, affordability during Youngstown visit

UPDATED 6/16/21

Broadbanned: Opponents believe proposed budget amendment would limit choice, stifle economic growth

(Features Coalition for Local Internet Choice’s Jim Baller)

6/15/21

Ohio Lt. Governor Husted pushes for broadband funding in state budget

6/15/21

Proposed Ohio law would ban municipal broadband services

6/15/21

Opponents fear proposed municipal broadband ban would create state-sanctioned ISP monopoly

(Features Fairlawn’s Ernie Staten)

Newspaper, Print, and Digital Coverage

7/1/21

Municipal broadband restrictions taken out of Ohio budget; new aid limited to private providers

6/29/21

Ohio GOP ends attempt to ban municipal broadband after protest from residents

6/29/21

Ohio’s Broadband Access Expansion Program Survives State Budget Process

6/28/21

Municipal broadband services, including FairlawnGig, safe after state removes language from budget

6/28/21

Final Ohio budget deal would cut taxes, fund broadband, boost school funding in major overhaul

6/28/21

It’s Over, WE WON!

Bigger tax cuts, abortion changes, new school funding formula are in Ohio’s budget

The final budget agreement also axed a proposal to limit local governments from offering broadband service.

6/28/21

Municipal Broadband Advocates Win Major Victory in Ohio

6/26/21

Fairlawn Mayor Roth:

Ohio’s attempt to block municipal broadband ignores cities’ accomplishments

6/22/21

Lawmakers ramp up attacks on muni broadband

6/23/21

Summit County leaders push back against amendment in budget plan that would eliminate municipal broadband networks

6/21/21

Ohio Republicans Are Trying To Kill Community Broadband
So far Republicans sponsoring the amendment are refusing to even officially acknowledge their support.