Inter-Mountain, The

Should West Virginia place limits on local governments competing with private companies to create broadband networks? The Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary recently received an overview of the concept of state versus local broadband preemption. While broadband issues are typically tackled by the Joint Standing Committee on Technology and Infrastructure, Joint Judiciary Committee Co-Chairman JB Akers (R-Kanawha) said the issue of broadband preemption was a legal matter.

West Virginia’s final proposal for use of millions in federal broadband funding remains on pause as state officials review that plan and brace for changes to the program under President Trump, but there is concern that the program will favor satellite over fiber broadband. The Grant County Commission recently wrote a letter to Gov.