Northern Tier News

Legislation introduced by Representative Tina Pickett aims to increase federal funding effectiveness for broadband expansion in Pennsylvania by revising wage classifications. Pickett proposed that the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry should reclassify broadband workers as “teledata employees” instead of “electric linemen,” who earn more under the state’s prevailing wage law. The department has not approved this change.

"Electric linemen do highly skilled and potentially dangerous work – and they are paid accordingly – but when their wage rates are applied inappropriately to teledata workers, it means labor costs on broadband infrastructure projects will be artificially inflated," Pickett stated. "Ultimately, this means fewer rural residents will gain access to high-speed broadband internet through the federal funding allocated to Pennsylvania."

Todd Eachus, president of the Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania, expressed support: "Simply, this legislation puts into state law appropriate job classifications for broadband work like is done in many other states. Without this bill, federal money for broadband deployment projects won’t go nearly as far, meaning that people in rural areas of the state will be further left behind. We thank Rep. Pickett for her leadership on this critical issue and look forward to working with her to get everyone connected."

In June 2023, Pennsylvania was granted $1.16 billion through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program to aid broadband expansion.

Pickett emphasized the importance of maximizing this funding, stating, "It is critical that we use these federal dollars to maximize the buildout of the Commonwealth’s broadband infrastructure. Not only will this mean improved access to the commercial, educational and government services we typically think of when discussing this issue, it will also mean improving the access of rural residents to vital health care services."

Currently, Pickett is in the process of finding co-sponsors for her bill.

Representative Tina Pickett 110th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Andy Briggs 717-260-6474 abriggs@pahousegop.com RepPickett.com / Facebook.com/RepPickett