Friends,
Last week, I updated you on investments the legislature made in our state budgets to strengthen local infrastructure and support mental and behavioral health efforts. This week, I want to discuss our efforts to extend broadband to under-served rural areas and to address climate change.
Rural broadband
Our district has many rural communities that don’t have access to quality broadband services. Broadband internet service has become as important as water or power. It is vital to our local economies, businesses, schools, and healthcare systems that Washington state expands access to broadband to more communities.
That is why we passed Senate Bill 5511, which provides local and state governments with more resources to extend this much-needed public service to under-served areas. This will help ensure that rural areas like ours will start to see expanded broadband access to help improve our quality of life.
Here is a video I recorded about this topic.
I recorded this video during the last week of the legislative session.
An effective path to clean energy
We know we need to transition to a carbon-free economy. A 100% clean electrical grid is necessary, affordable, achievable, and something you repeatedly told me you want. However, we need to have a smart and orderly path to this goal. That is why we passed 100% clean energy standards this session.
100% Clean Energy Standards means:
- Grid stability and reliability.
- A carbon-neutral grid by 2030.
- Phased-out coal-fired electricity by the end of 2025.
- Flexible mechanisms to reduce the cost of compliance.
- No undue burdens to utility customers.
- Assistance and protections for low-income households.
Both of these issues affect the health and well-being of our communities. I was proud to take these votes to protect and strengthen our part of Washington.
As always, you can receive further updates by going to my Facebook page at facebook.com/repdavepaul, or stopping by my official website at housedemocrats.wa.gov/paul. If you would like to get in contact with me, you can send me an email at dave.paul@leg.wa.gov or call my office at (360) 786-7914.
Thank you,
Rep. Dave Paul