Fiscal Note
No appropriation is required.
Title
Requesting the Internet service providers of Madison provide free or low cost Internet service for low-income citizens of Madison, in order to bridge the "digital divide".
Body
WHEREAS, the City is committed to strengthening neighborhoods and bridging the digital divide; and
WHEREAS, citizen access to the Internet has become a critical component of job hunting; educational needs; transacting household business; utilizing library resources; and communicating with family, neighbors and government.; and
WHEREAS, the lack of consistent Internet access for low-income families threatens to leave the children of those families without the necessary skills to compete in the workforce after high school and further widen the achievement gap; and
WHEREAS, low-income families, unable to afford Internet service, are at a distinct disadvantage to families who can afford high-speed Internet service when applying for work, communicating with government and doing other daily Internet-related tasks;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City of Madison is requesting that Internet service providers in Madison provide free or reduced cost Internet service for the low-income families, based on eligibility of free or reduced school lunch program, in Madison, without raising the cost of other services, such as telephone or television.