BOSTON – State Senator Adam G. Hinds (D-Pittsfield) announced Thursday that he has been appointed by Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) to represent the Massachusetts Senate at the 2017 Broadband & Cable Policy Summit, hosted by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) on October 15-17th in Denver, Colorado.
“Finalizing access to high speed internet is critical for ending the digital divide that holds our region back. This Summit is another way to continue to build our knowledge of how others have tackled the problem and explore emerging policy issues,” said Hinds. “I appreciate the Senate President for nominating me to participate in this important conversation.”
According to NCSL, the Broadband & Cable Policy Summit (BCPS) is a partnership project intended to educate state legislators about broadband and cable technology and associated regulatory and policy issues. The BCPS will provide a balanced program covering a broad range of issues and gather the most important voices in the broadband and cable world today to interact with state legislators. The Summit will equip policymakers with the knowledge to tackle important developing and communications and technology issues and enable legislators to share best practices for enhancing access to these services for their constituents.
“Expansion of broadband services to all residents of the Commonwealth, especially in western Mass, is critically important for economic development, education opportunities, and connectivity for Massachusetts to thrive,” said Senate President Rosenberg. “No one knows this better than Senator Hinds, who has been personally involved in bringing broadband to his district since taking office. It is my hope that this Summit will help him gain insight on how other states have approached these issues and how these strategies can be applied here to address broadband and cable issues moving forward.”
“There is no other issue that my colleagues and I in western Mass. are focused on more than broadband,” said Hinds. “My first transition briefing, before I was even sworn into office, was on the status of Last Mile efforts in Massachusetts. We have a standing, biweekly conference call with state broadband officials, and are constantly trying to make progress working with residents, local officials, utilities, providers and other stakeholders. This is critical for our economy and opportunity, academic research at home, home sales, population decline and public safety.”
Hinds’ next Speak Up Western Mass public forum/community office hours event will take place in Worthington on Monday, October 30, 2017 from 10:00am-11:30am in “The Hall,” at Worthington Town Hall, located at 160 Huntington Road.
The coffee hour, featuring both Hinds and his colleague State Representative Steve Kulik (D- Worthington), is designed to be agenda-free, unscripted, and an opportunity for residents and local officials to ask questions, share concerns, and make recommendations on state issues to the members of their legislative delegation and district staff.
