[LIBRARYDIR] {Disarmed} FW: URGENT Next Step for WA Digital Equity Bill

[Bem, Greg]

FYI

Greg Bem, MLIS
Faculty Library Coordinator
Library Learning Commons
Lake Washington Inst. Of Technology
Pronouns: he/him/his

Vice President, AFT 3533, ’21-‘22

Contact Info
greg.bem at lwtech.edu<mailto:greg.bem at lwtech.edu%0d>
425-739-8100 xt.8898
http://www.lwtech.edu/campus-life/library

Chat with me on Microsoft Teams<https://teams.microsoft.com/>, or
Chat with librarians 24/7 on Ask a Librarian<https://askwa.libanswers.com/widget_chat.php?hash=3da0756f9dbe8539f215b050f583e53e>

From: wala at memberclicks-mail.net <wala at memberclicks-mail.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 1:11 PM
To: Bem, Greg <Greg.Bem at lwtech.edu>
Subject: URGENT Next Step for WA Digital Equity Bill

EXTERNAL SENDER: Use caution with links and attachments
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Dear WA Library Community,



THANK YOU for contacting legislative members to schedule a hearing for E2SHB 1723<http://wala.memberclicks.net/message2/link/407d46fe-4fad-4870-9d19-42d05c001a74/1> – closing the digital equity divide and increasing the accessibility and affordability of telecommunications services, devices, and training.



Your calls were heard.

A hearing is scheduled tomorrow, Feb. 23 at 8:00 a.m.

Our next step is to have all library workers record their SUPPORT of E2SHB 1723. Registering your support simply requires filling out a single form. As another option, you may sign up for live, remote testimony.

[Register Your Support]

[Speak and Testify]


You must take one of these actions before 7:00 a.m. on Feb. 23.



As a reminder, E2SHB 1723 is a priority bill for the Washington Library Association, expanding on last year’s BHB 1365. The bill does the following:

  *   Establishes the Washington Broadband Assistance Program to assist low-income persons with the costs of eligible voice and broadband services.
  *   Creates the Anchor Institution Digital Equity Program for the purpose of providing discounted rates for telecommunications services and discounted telecommunications infrastructure costs to qualifying anchor institutions.
  *   Makes modifications to the Community Technology Opportunity Program, including renaming it the Digital Equity Opportunity Program and redefining its purpose to be the advancement of broadband adoption and digital equity.
  *   Establishes the Digital Equity Planning Grant Program to provide grants to local governments, institutions of higher education, workforce development councils, or other entities to fund the development of a digital equity plan for a discrete geographic region of the state.
  *   Codifies the Digital Equity Forum (Forum) and adds a provision allowing funds to be used to compensate, for any work done in connection with the Forum, additional persons with lived experience navigating barriers to digital connectivity.

Thank you for taking action on behalf of libraries and programs in Washington state — and the communities they serve!

Washington Library Association

PO Box 33808, Seattle, WA 98133

(206) 823-1138

info at wla.org<mailto:info at wla.org>

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