This commentary is by Stephen Whitaker of Montpelier, an author who has worked for 30 years on integrating planning, government transparency and accountability, public records access and more recently utility networks resiliency. This month, he was a candidate for mayor of Montpelier.
Last month, VPR reported Gov. Scott to have said the following in a transcript:
“At the time, we agreed because we knew we needed to have a clear vision — and a plan — for how to use this funding to get the most value out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s important we don’t change course now and water down the incredible impact we could have in every county of the state. We can’t bend to pressure and spend it piecemeal without thinking about the big picture. …
“But we’ve got to get this right. Before putting hundreds of millions of dollars out the door, we need to know where we’re going, so we don’t squander this moment in time.”
So really, Governor, shouldn’t these very rational assertions of yours also apply to the hundreds of millions of dollars in broadband funding too?
Where is the “plan”? The Ten-Year Telecommunications Plan adopted just last year at a cost of $475,000 in Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars in no way meets the statutory requirements for specifics, yet the Department of Public Service adopted it anyway without even a question from the oversight committees. Nothing in it at all about the $51 million cell proposal you’ve launched.
Efficient government? Currently there is no statewide broadband strategy for resilience or storm hardening, nor any plan to best utilize all existing fiber already built by Velco and others, and the essential role of the electric utilities.
There is no plan for quickly providing affordable fixed wireless broadband for those who now have none and where it may take five years to build fiber.
Nor is there any integration of planning among the three critical priorities: fiber broadband, public safety radio and in-fill of dead zones on mobile wireless (cellular) coverage. Such an integrated fiber strategy and plan was authorized and funded in the Broadband Bill yet ignored by the Vermont Community Broadband Board.
Outlaws? Worse, we have no one enforcing existing laws requiring that state planning and projects support competitive choice for consumers and open access for competitors. These goals and policies are in statute and have been for the last decade, and yet the new community broadband board is ignoring that, as are the oversight committees, while the communications union districts are rapidly proceeding to create new monopolies for broadband service.
Nor is anyone enforcing the law that broadband providers are required to pay an annual fee for use of the public right of way. This has been on the books since the Vermont Telecommunications Authority was created back in 2008, yet the governor has apparently given the signal to his cabinet members to ignore the law. Isn’t that a violation of his office?
Affordability? At the rate they’re going, all the broadband that does get build will be unaffordable for most Vermonters, thereby requiring ongoing subsidies if people are going to get any benefit at all from these massive investments.
You seem to like to use phrases to the effect of, “Let’s hear the best ideas, even if you disagree; let the best ideas and plans win out.” But now, at this critical time, you have refused to walk your talk.
