8 | GLENN HEGAR, TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS and streaming video on one device requires 5-40 Mbps. The U.S. Census Bureau reports 93.9 percent of Texas households had a computer, but only 86.9 percent had a broadband internet subscription in 2017-2021. In June, Texas was allocated $3.3 billion as part of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a $42.5 billion component of the IIJA passed by Congress in 2021 for the purpose of ensuring every American has access to reliable internet. Texas received the largest allocation of any state. The BDO anticipates it will begin accepting grant applications for the BEAD Program in 2024. Eligible applicants include internet service providers, political subdivisions and public-private partnerships interested in developing broadband infrastructure. Experts estimate as many as 3.9 million households in Texas are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which cuts internet bills by up to $75 a month for subscribers who qualify. About 1.6 million households in Texas were enrolled in the program as of August 2023. “I am very pleased to see this historic investment in Texas,” says Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who has pushed to address infrastructure needs including broadband access. “Critical infrastructure projects across the state will get much-needed attention that will help us increase access to reliable, high-speed internet and close the availability gap in Texas.” People can sign up to receive updates from the BDO and learn about ways to provide feedback regarding their connectivity needs. THE ROADS AHEAD The 88th Legislature made a significant investment in the state’s transportation system, says Trent Thomas, director of government affairs at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). “All of the people moving to Texas are bringing their cars with them, and you see that on our roads,” Thomas says. “But the Legislature also invested in other important infrastructure — airports and maritime ports.” The $37.2 billion TxDOT budget reflects significant investments in multimodal transportation and freight systems, increasing funding for rural and small urban transit, maritime ports, rail and general aviation, he says (Exhibit 2). Thomas says the extension of key highway and transportation funding sources, Proposition 1 and Proposition 7, mark “major accomplishments” of the session and reflect more than 35 percent of TxDOT’s total budget. “Renewing these funding mechanisms ensures stability,” he says. “This allows for consistent planning over the entirety of current and future 10-year planning periods.” Respectively, House Bill 2230 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 extend funding sources initiated in 2014 and 2015: First approved by voters in 2014, Proposition 1 dedicates a portion of existing oil and natural gas production taxes to the State Highway Fund until 2042, the extended date. The money may only be used for constructing, maintaining and acquiring rights-of-way for public roadways other than toll roads. The Comptroller’s office estimates Proposition 1 deposits will total $3.06 billion in fiscal 2024. “All of the people moving to Texas are bringing their cars with them, and you see that on our roads. But the Legislature also invested in other important infrastructure — airports and maritime ports.” - Trent Thomas Building Strong Infrastructure for a Growing Texas Trent Thomas, Texas Department of Transportation Comptroller Hegar and Broadband Development Office Director Greg Conte conducted 12 town hall forums, gathering testimony about broadband access from nearly 1,000 attendees. 37 DEALERS’ CHOICE
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