Councilman Matt MacCoy serves the city of Seaford.
Folks who get most of their political coverage from cable news shouting matches or social media outrage posts might come away with the idea that governing is all about conflict, division and brinkmanship.
Here in Delaware, however, we’ve always enjoyed a strong tradition of bipartisan cooperation and compromise. And if you’re looking for a case study explaining why this “Delaware way” is the better approach to governing, consider this proof point: We’re on our way to becoming the first state in the U.S. to make high-speed internet service universally available to every home and business across the state.
Sure, Delaware’s smaller size gives us a bit of an advantage in chasing this goal. But pragmatism and smart prioritization, not just geography, are big reasons we’re on the cusp of wiring Sussex County’s remaining broadband deserts.
In Washington, President Joe Biden’s $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill was a textbook example of how both parties can still work together to govern effectively. In response to clear needs — crumbling roads and bridges, underfunded mass transit systems, rural broadband gaps — moderates in both parties sat down in good faith and hammered out a smart plan to invest tax dollars wisely.
On broadband, the infrastructure bill commits $42 billion to closing rural broadband gaps and another $14 billion to help low-income Americans connect to the fast networks already built out in their neighborhoods. Smart guardrails will ensure these dollars don’t get wasted on political patronage or duplicative projects, so we can avoid repeating the failures of the 2009 stimulus broadband program.
Here in Delaware, a similarly pragmatic approach guides the $56 million state officials are investing to bring high-speed internet service to more than 11,000 currently unserved homes and businesses. This public-private partnership approach uses public funding to leverage millions more in private investment, getting capable, experienced broadband providers to put their own skin in the game.
This model stretches scarce public funding even further — welcoming, rather than foolishly trying to replace, the private sector’s technical know-how and investment muscle. And it protects taxpayers from the huge risks of building government-owned municipal networks, which have a poor track record of failing financially and leaving taxpayers on the hook to clean up the mess.
Even as we take a smart, bipartisan approach to wiring rural Delaware, we need to realize that building networks is only part of our challenge. We’ll need equally pragmatic and creative ideas to tackle the other half of our digital divide: encouraging more of our disconnected neighbors to connect to those networks.
Right now, while an estimated 96% of our state already has fast, world-class internet speeds available, only 75% are signed up and connected. Here in Sussex County, our connectivity gaps are even more pronounced: One in 3 of our neighbors are cut off from all the economic and educational opportunities that come with a wired home internet connection.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill’s Affordable Connectivity Program will help get more Delawareans connected by making home internet service essentially free for low-income families. But many unconnected households — particularly our older neighbors — may still lack the digital skills and know-how to sign up and get online. With the money Delaware saves by taking a fiscally responsible approach to network buildouts, we can invest in pilot programs and local partnerships to offer skills training and one-to-one assistance to those most in need of the help.
Ultimately, closing Delaware’s digital divide isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue: It’s a question of basic fairness and opportunity. We can get there by embracing smart, pragmatic ideas that work — and steering clear of ideological distractions or partisan bickering.
Bipartisanship still works, when we let it.
