Texas News
Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Texas Infrastructure Bill: How it Will Impact Broadband, Water Supply, and Beyond!
May 2023 saw the Texas Infrastructure Bill emerge, a historical act considered the state’s most significant investment for infrastructure development. A total of $4.5 billion is designated for enhancing the state’s broadband connectivity, water supply, and other crucial infrastructure categories. The comparison and contrast of the bill’s repercussions on infrastructure development of broadband and water supply, among other regions, will be deliberated within this composition.
With a focus on bridging the digital divide in Texas, the Texas Broadband Development Office released an address-level map showcasing broadband availability throughout the state. The most significant investment yet for broadband development in Texas was made by state lawmakers in May 2023, allocating $1.5 billion to the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund. This investment aims to provide all Texans with high-speed internet access, regardless of location. The Texas Infrastructure Bill prioritizes broadband infrastructure development in the state, and allocating $1.5 billion to the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund is a significant milestone toward achieving this goal.
Water supply in Texas is in dire straits, putting the state’s quality and quantity at risk as it continues to expand. Seeking to resolve this crisis, the Texas Infrastructure Bill allots $1 billion towards repairing its dysfunctional water infrastructure and establishing large-scale water supply ventures. Since a continuously growing population increases the need for Texas’ most crucial natural resources, the Texas Infrastructure Bill strives to ensure a sufficient water supply to support this growth. The $1 billion contribution to advancing water infrastructure development is a substantial stride in this direction.
With the Texas Infrastructure Bill in place, the state’s infrastructure development is experiencing a widespread transformation.
The Texas Transportation Plan 2040 proposed allocating $396 billion from state and federal funds towards maintaining, repairing, and expanding the state’s roadways, which the new bill has prioritized. In addition, the funds allotted by the Texas Infrastructure Bill aim to advance ongoing development plans, repair infrastructure in need, and launch innovative projects for roads, bridges, broadband, and electricity. According to estimates by the White House, Texas will receive around $35.44 billion over five years for infrastructure projects such as pipes, ports, broadband access, and more — all set to revolutionize the state’s infrastructure and benefit Texans all over.
In Texas, there’s progress in infrastructure development with the new bill that deals with various areas, including water supply infrastructure and broadband. The state allocates $1.5 billion to the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund and $1 billion for water infrastructure development, consequently resolving the digital divide for people in Texas and providing them with clear water. This bill also contributes to improvements in other areas, such as electric infrastructure, bridges, and roads. Indeed, the Texas Infrastructure Bill’s comprehensive approach enhances the living standard for people throughout the state.
References
1. Texas Broadband Development Map. (n.d.), 2023, from comptroller.texas.gov/programs/broadband/outreach/maps/bdo/
2. Bill allocating $1.5 billion to broadband expansion in Texas …. (n.d.), 2023, from www.texastribune.org
3. Texas’ water infrastructure is broken, a challenge for …. (n.d.), 2023, from www.texastribune.org
4. Texas lawmakers agree to expand water supplies, fix …. (n.d.), 2023, from www.texastribune.org/2023/05/28/texas-water-supply-bill/
5. The 2022 State Water Plan — Texas Comptroller. (n.d.), 2023, from comptroller.texas.gov
6. Transportation Infrastructure: Keeping Texas Moving. (n.d.), 2023, from comptroller.texas.gov
7. Biden’s infrastructure plan will set aside about $35 billion …. (n.d.), 2023, from www.texastribune.org
Originally published at https://original.newsbreak.com.
