Republicans Cave to Corporate Pressure, Kill Bill to Expand Rural Broadband

House Republicans Flipped Their Votes Under Pressure From Corporate Lobbyists

Helena, MT — Yesterday, House Republicans suddenly and drastically flipped their votes on H.B. 422, killing a popular bill which would have removed barriers to expanding broadband infrastructure across Montana. 

H.B. 422 would have opened the door for public-private partnerships between local governments and telecom companies to provide reliable broadband to underserved communities across the state. Expanding access to broadband creates jobs, strengthens our local economies, and helps our rural communities grow.

Instead, Republicans turned their backs on this free market solution, caving under pressure from corporate telecom lobbyists. Republicans caving to corporate interests is just further proof that they have betrayed the interests of their constituents in order to further the pet projects of big business.

“This is simple. Expanding broadband would make Montana stronger, but Republicans voted no.” said Sandi Luckey, Montana  Democratic Party Executive Director. “By siding with corporate lobbyists over working Montanans, Republicans have once again proved that their loyalty is to wealth, not work.

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