Mississippi Lawmakers Clear $75 Million in COVID-19 Support for Broadband, Mostly to Co-Ops

Mississippi would spend $75 million on two COVID-19 broadband funds under a bill passed by the legislature Monday. The House voted 114-2 and the Senate voted 48-0 for SB-3054 to transfer $65 million for an electric cooperative broadband grant program and $10 million for grants to other kinds of broadband providers. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) didn’t comment Thursday. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute said Tuesday it extended until year-end a free wireless hot spot program as part of its coronavirus response (see 2004220035). The program was to end Sept. 1.