Ohio senators should focus on budget, stop meddling with broadband systems like Fairlawn's
Editorial |
Broadband internet service is hardly a luxury in today's world. It's as essential as water, electricity and other utilities for any person or business needing to connect with the world.
That's why cities such as
And it's why those who lack access to high-speed internet primarily in poorer urban and rural areas crave broadband, a need intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, we're at a loss to explain why the
The bill would effectively restrict public agencies' ability to expand internet access outside of their boundaries, a necessary ability when private firms fail to invest in what people need. Whether the language will survive the negotiating process with the
Folks in
We urge
In a resolution passed unanimously on Tuesday,
That local communities felt the need to establish their own services speaks to the frustration customers have with Ohio’s major private providers. Frequent outages, opaque price structures and poor customer service are among common complaints.
We agree with government officials, such as
Language on moral beliefs, state judicial elections
Lawmakers, unfortunately, have thrown more unpleasant surprises into the budget bill.
One insert would allow
Abortion rights and LGBTQ advocates fear more restrictions and discrimination would follow, and we're certain they're correct. As in the language choking municipal broadband, this change was offered without public debate.
Why is the legislature so afraid to present both sides of the debate?
Another “surprise” addition would change how state
Voter rights groups, including the
The voter rights groups stress that fundamental changes to how judges are elected should not be done through a budget amendment. Lawmakers should keep the process open and attempt change through stand-alone bills, they say.
Perhaps our Republican lawmakers want to avoid packed hearing rooms at the Ohio Statehouse and that's why they've dropped in these changes without public comment.
They didn't seem so disturbed, though, when they allowed an
Fact check: COVID-19 vaccines don't cause magnetic reactions or contain tracking devices
The vaccine-repudiating doctor became a viral sensation (in the internet sense). Jokes at
Obviously,
This article originally appeared on
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