Boston, Massachusetts – With approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a new Broadband Equity Commission will be created to study equity and access to telecommunications service, including broadband internet, across the Commonwealth and make recommendations for addressing the digital divide. Latinos for Education, who will serve on the Commission along with other organizations specializing in education and technology, issued the following response about this newly established Commission:

“We’re thrilled that Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker approved the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, which included an amendment to create the Broadband Equity Commission, affirming a commitment to creating an equitable and accessible telecommunications infrastructure for students. We’d like to formally thank the Governor, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Spilka, Chairman Michlewitz, Chairman Rodrigues, the honorable conference committee conferees, Chairwoman Peisch and Chairman Lewis for championing the issue of broadband equity, and for their longstanding commitment to ensuring equity in our state’s education system.  Latino families in the Commonwealth have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and providing universal access to tech and broadband is key to ensuring that Latino students continue to learn, and that families have access to the resources their children need.  We look forward to working with all of the Broadband Equity Commission appointees to ensure tech para todos – access to tech devices and broadband access for all children across the Commonwealth.”