Remember this?
No rural residents connected to internet, 3 years into Biden broadband program
Some three years after the Biden administration announced the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program for rural America, not one household has been connected to high speed internet. Not one project has begun construction elsewhere or here, despite some $650 million in funding for Minnesota alone.
Much longer article, of course. And here we have Tim Hains
Jon Stewart Speechless At Biden-Era Red Tape: “This Is How Liberal Government Works Now”
Jon Stewart welcomed NYT columnist Ezra Klein on his “Weekly Show” podcast to stare into the abyss of government regulations that prevented President Biden’s “Build Back Better” infrastructure bill from building much of anything at all. Klein is a co-author of the new book, “Abundance,” which pitches the idea of a more effective liberalism by bringing attention to the red tape built into Democratic politics.
In one segment that’s gotten a lot of attention (above), Klein explains the 14-step process states have to go through to even start building the rural broadband networks that were promised $42 billion in funding by the Biden administration (3 out of 56 states and territories are almost ready to start about four years later).
“Having submitted their five-year plans and letters of intent, step eight is states must submit an ‘initial proposal’ to the NTIA [National Telecommunications and Information Administration],” Klein explained.
“Is that a result of their $5 million planning fund?” Stewart asked, noticeably losing hope.
“I assume, but then what was the five-year plan?” said Klein. “Like, if the five-year action plan isn’t the initial proposal, then what’s the five-year action plan?”
And it doesn’t get any better after that. Because then there needs to be another approval. Then there is the publishing of maps by states, which can be challenged. But, Los Federales were supposed to have their own maps. And these are then reviewed. But, this wasn’t part of the proposals to start with. And then there is sub-contracting plans submitted. Then a final proposal. And then finally a review and approval by the NTIA. Which ended with 3 of 56 almost ready to start. Doing it this way would get people in the private sector reamed, possibly demoted, if not fired, if they ran their action plans this way.
“Well, you know, organized interest groups, environmental groups,” Klein said. “Literally anybody. I want to say something because it’s very important. This is the Biden administration’s process for its own bill. They wanted this to happen. This is how liberal government works now.”
“This is something they instituted for their bill?”
“For their bill. This is a bill passed by Democrats with a regulatory structure written by a Democratic administration,” he said. “Step 11, the NTIA must review and improve the challenge results and the final map.”‘
It was a program designed to not happen.
“I’m speechless,” Jon Stewart said. “Honestly, it’s far worse than I could have imagined.”
Me too. I thought they were just incompetent and didn’t care, but, they actively made it almost impossible. So, um, uh, what’s happening with all that money? Democrats can say “Oh, $42 billion is not that much in terms of the budget”, but, do you think $42 billion is a pittance to piss away? If you gave me $5000 to build a deck and 3 years on you saw no deck, would you be wondering and a bit upset?
As one of the comments at the Real Clear Politics articles says “Klein probably knows that the bureaucratic process is the reason they want big spending. The goal isn’t to get internet to people…The goal is to keep political cadres employed for years and shovel money to friendly consultants. There’s always been some beak-wetting in government work, but we’ve reached the point where it costs $Billions to do nothing at all. And it didn’t get that way by accident.”
DOGE should audit the program, see where the money went. And Trump should turn around, scuttle the requirements, and get the program done.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2025
Instead of firing IRS auditors, have them go after stuff like this. And non-profits and NGOs- like Al Sharpton and BLM. Much more productive than auditing small business owners. It would serve as a deterrent to others who are at the trough.
Now do Donnie, LOL.
Anyway, $42 BILLION was not spent.
from Mr Teach’s selectively edited article (from Dec 2024):
See that? Will be receiving, not received. Let’s see, the fiber companies are bitching that it’s TOO complicated to get the money!! And Mr Teach is bitching that the feds are being too careful before spending billions? LOL.
And do you really believe trumpelon wants rural broadband? Only if THEY get paid for it. Designate Elon’s Starlink as the winner! Charge rural folks $1000 for equipment and $100 or more monthly for the service. Done and done.
https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/starlink-internet-review/
The first BEAD grants were intended for allocation in 2024, amounting to less than 25% (~ $10 BILLION) of the total to support companies installing underground fiber/cable into hard to serve rural areas. States and territories were allocated potential funds based on need, e.g., Texas was slated for over $3 BILLION in potential grant money. Alaska slated for the greatest potential grant funding per capita. Funding will be announced in late 2025, meaning construction will not get underway until 2026, if providers decide to participate. So no. $42 BILLION was not spent, but was only available to be awarded to successful applications.
https://www.alixpartners.com/insights/102j5i1/the-5-uncomfortable-truths-of-the-broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-progra/
Rimjob: So no. $42 BILLION was not spent, but was only available to be awarded to successful applications.
No one said it was spent, dipshit.
Teach typed: DOGE should audit the program, see where the money went.
The money went nowhere, since it wasn’t spent.
Doubling down on your stupidity, hey Rimjob?
Comprehension really does matter, dumbass.
It’s also completely irrelevant. There’s Starlink for rural high speed internet. And if you’re a sufferer of MDS, there are other satellite options like Hughes.
Here locally, the county had a plan to install broadband wifi across the entire county. They even got as far as setting up some test areas before the money ran out. Now we have fiber to the house…