NYSBA President: Infrastructure Law Will Bring Connectivity Required For Economic Success, Education, Healthcare, Safety, & More To Underserved Communities Across New York
11.15.2021
New York State Bar Association President T. Andrew Brown issued the following statement about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed today by President Joseph Biden:
Reliable, speedy online access is critical to ensuring a functional justice system, economy, and democracy. The coronavirus pandemic exposed the deep digital divide that this country has overlooked for far too long. In some communities in our state, dependable internet access is unavailable due to lack of adequate infrastructure. For others, a simple online subscription is cost prohibitive.
Lawyers across New York know connectivity is critical for both serving clients and ensuring they are informed and can participate in proceedings. They are also all too aware that securing such an internet connection when it is needed is an uncertain proposition.
While New York has made strides in providing broadband to all communities and ranks second in the nation for local online access, we still have much work to do. The state comptroller recently reported that over 1 million households across this state lack access to home broadband services. This is unacceptable.
By improving infrastructure and making internet affordable for all, we will ensure that New Yorkers are on a level playing field and that NYSBA members can better offer their clients equal access to justice.
I commend President Joseph Biden, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on their leadership in striving to bring this divide to an end by enacting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law.
About the New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, NYSBA has helped shape the development of law, educated, and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.
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Contact: Susan DeSantis
sdesantis@nysba.org
201-575-5756
