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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is urging the federal government to invest remaining BEAD allocations into state-led initiatives.
By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
In a letter sent to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, obtained and published by Ars Technica on Monday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said his state will have significant BEAD funds remaining thanks to Lutnick’s reforms.
Louisiana’s Republican governor wrote that unspent BEAD allocations should be invested in state-led initiatives that he argued could advance several administration policy objectives, including advancement of AI.
“As the first state to submit our Final Proposal ahead of the September 4th deadline, we respectfully request that you continue to hew closely to the statute,” he wrote.
According to the governor, investments in education, workforce training, and industry growth would align with the president’s key policy objectives.
“This approach would vividly demonstrate the business and financial savvy that is a hallmark of your department and the administration overall,” Landry’s letter to Lutnick stated.
If such an approach was adopted, Landry said “the contrast to the previous administration’s failed policies could not be clearer.”
Landry suggests next steps
Landry also offered the expertise of Louisiana broadband officials to help the federal government plan next steps.
In the letter, Landry also recommends that NTIA issue “clear guidance” on October 1st, “instructing states to submit non-deployment plans” within 60 days that would include projects which could advance the president’s stated agenda.
He also asked that those proposals be evaluated on a rolling basis, with awards announced by the president no later than Jan. 20.
Last week, NTIA announced that a total of 20 states and territories have been granted extensions to submit their final BEAD proposals.
In total, 56 states and territories are eligible for $42.45 billion in BEAD funds.
“In the plans submitted today, states are already projecting savings of at least $13 billion for American taxpayers – driven by a rise in participation by the private sector, increased matching commitments by subgrantees, and a surge of innovative technology solutions to deliver high-speed connectivity,” NTIA’s Sept. 5 release stated.
