Elliott Priced Out of Internet?: Talking About Solutions for Santa Cruz County Residents, By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

FEATURED COLUMNIST Priced Out of Internet?

Talking About Solutions for Santa Cruz County Residents

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

The pandemic highlighted the critical need for access to affordable, high-speed internet. For students participating in remote learning, seniors accessing tele-health programs and workers attempting to work remotely, high-speed internet is an essential resource.

Yet, many households in our community, and throughout the state, either have limited bandwidth to meet their needs or are priced out of options.

The County has taken some steps to improve the availability of broadband and the state and federal governments are also making efforts to expand access.

It is estimated that as many as 1 in 3 California households lack broadband access with a disproportionate number of those households consisting of seniors, those with low-incomes and adults selfidentifying as having a disability. Similar challenges exist in Santa Cruz County.

For context, 92 percent of households nationwide with incomes between $100,000 and $150,000 have broadband service, while only 47 percent of households making less than $25,000 a year access these technologies. For areas that are covered, most of the lack of service stems from cost, and for those in rural areas (or even relatively suburban areas of our county) there are little to no high-speed internet options — increasing the digital divide. (Ediotor’s note: Some PVUSD families may qualify through Equal Access Santa Cruz for free Internet services for up to one year. Here is the link to apply — sign up using code: EASCPVUDS12.)

County Efforts

The County of Santa Cruz has developed a series of policies and programs to encourage public and private investment and proliferation of broadband infrastructure. These policies include a “dig once” policy where fiber conduit will be installed whenever public rights-of-way are broached (significantly reducing the cost and also preventing the need to dig up a road that was recently paved in order to add conduit later).

Additionally, the County revised permitting fees to directly reflect actual county cost and streamlined the permitting process for fiber infrastructure projects.

The County established common technical specifications for broadband infrastructure projects to speed up the process for those increasing this type of infrastructure, created a master lease agreement for companies interested in locating their infrastructure on County assets and the developed a Broadband Master Plan to guide future policy and infrastructure development.

Lastly, the Board of Supervisors voted to allocate some of the recent federal relief funding toward increasing broadband access and infrastructure. This has led to a number of areas in the unincorporated area seeing increases in speeds and some reduction in costs. New fiber lines are running through major corridors like Soquel, Freedom, San Andreas and other locations that provide the framework for increased services.

State Efforts

Arecent report commissioned by the California Public Utilities Commission found that the cost of building highspeed internet fiber connections to every unserved building and house in the state could occur with an investment of approximately $6.8 billion.

The California State Association of Counties, which represents the interests of counties at the state level, has been working with the Newsom administration to invest $8 billion of the federal relief funding and other new funding made available for this purpose to close the digital divide.

As CSAC notes, this level of investment could give households, businesses, schools, and hospitals access to high-speed 100 Mbps broadband and give a giant boost to programs that would spur the adoption of internet service (such as devices, digital skills training, service subsidies, and language access programs and products).

What exactly would the state funding do? Most of it would provide 100/10 Mbps fiber optics to buildings and houses currently without it. About a third of it is proposed to construct a statewide middle mile network (to close location gaps where fiber infrastructure occurs) so that any provider could tap in and provide services to underserved areas.

This funding would come from the new one-time funds available from the federal relief funding, which includes funding specifically for broadband infrastructure and also more flexible funding that can be applied for things such as broadband expansion.

Federal Efforts

One of the largest federal efforts to increase broadband access has been in the recent relief funding. For example, The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households (such as those at 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or that experienced a substantial loss of income during the pandemic).

The federal funding also provides significant offsets for schools and libraries looking to provide high-speed internet services and funds will be allocated directly to states to help build out broadband infrastructure projects.

Additional federal legislation has been proposed to close the digital divide even further that is currently under consideration.

These local, state and federal efforts will help ensure equitable access for broadband and close the digital divide for communities such as ours. n •••

As always, I appreciate hearing your feedback on this or any other issue I can help you with. Feel free to call me at 454-2200 with any questions or comments.

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SCCAS Featured Pet COMMUNITY CALENDAR “Calendar” from page 29 presents and Chopin specialist Brian Ganz will perform live Emcee will be Joe Livernois, board president and online at 5 p.m. May of National Alliance on Mental Illness Monterey 23, sharing stories about the County, a nonprofit that lends support, education, composer’s life, music and and advocacy to families dealing with mental illness. the works of his friend, painter He is co-founder of the online news platform Voices Eugene Delacroix. The program of Monterey Bay and former executive editor of the is titled, “Romanticism and the Monterey County Herald. Speakers will include Interim, Inc. staff who work with homeless individuals, and clients will talk about how their mental health diagnosis does not limit their lives. To receive an Evite to the event, visit www.interiminc.org. Revolutionary Spirit.” The evening concludes with a toast and lively Q & A. Price is $3; beyond that, donations are welcome. Register at https://tinyurl.com/nite-with-ganz Brian Ganz

Cypress Is Ready For Some TLC

Meet Cypress (A281289), a super sweet, super shy black and white male kitty that came in recently from a hoarding situation. Cypress was living with about 50 other cats in a very small space.

He is still getting comfortable with frequent human interaction, but is sweet and loving when you show him some patience. He is also not used to having resources like food, water, or a litter box on hand.

For this reason, Cypress will need a loving home with lots of patience and understanding to help him become fully comfortable. In a supportive environment, we are certain that he will grow into a friendly sweetheart that soaks up all the love he is given in his new home.

If you think Cypress is your purrrfect fit, give the shelter a call to set up a visit.

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter:

Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

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Thursday May 20

‘DESIGN FOR EQUITY’ TALK 7 p.m., Mt. Madonna School Online Presentation The Mount Madonna School public speaker series based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals presents “Design for Equity: Disrupting Systemic Inequality Through Innovation in Education,” featuring ’94 alum Ryan Oliver on Zoom.

Oliver, executive director of the BUILD.org Bay Area/ Los Angeles region, will lead Ryan Oliver attendees through a rapid design experience related to education and equity. Tickets are available by donation, and can be ordered at sdgspeakerseries.org.

Friday May 21

APTOS CHAMBER AWARDS NOMINATION DEADLINE 11:59 p.m. The Aptos Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner awards — individuals, businesses and organizations that have dedicated time and energy toward making our community a better place to live, work and play. Visit http://aptoschamber.com to submit your nominations (scroll down to the nominations box on the home page)

Friday May 21

VIRTUAL LUNCH MEETING WITH JOHN LAIRD Noon–1:15 p.m., Online meeting The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will host a virtual lunch meeting with State Sen. John Laird noon to 1:15 p.m. Friday May 21. Register at https://forms. gle/5nmVxUCoXZDXtpZaA John Laird

Saturday May 22

AMAH MUTSUN COLLEGE STUDENTS SPEAK 1-3 p.m., Amah Mutsun Speaker Series Online Six Amah Mutsun college students, Alexii Sigona, Julisa Lopez, Steven Pratt, Athena Hernandez, Dominic Lopez-Toney, and Carolyn Rodriguez, will speak at a virtual event 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 22, to discuss their experiences in higher education, share their research and how they hope to serve the community after completing their degree. Pratt attends Cabrillo College. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/ register/WN_jiBAk_pQQXOPOsW8sb57rQ

The Amah Mutsun Speaker Series is a collaboration between the American Indian Resource Center at UC Santa Cruz and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. This marks the 13th year of these events, and the 25th consecutive event of the series.

Tuesday May 25

WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S 1-2:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Association Webinar The Alzheimer’s Association presents the seminar “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s,” via phone and online.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking and behavior problems that interfere with daily living.

Learn how to recognize common signs; how to approach someone about memory concerns; importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; possible tests and assessments for diagnosis, and Alzheimer’s Association resources. Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Once you register, you will get an email with the call-in information and instructions.

Wednesday May 26

ALZHEIMER’S & COVID-19 CAREGIVING 10-11:30 a.m., Alzheimer’s Association Webinar The Alzheimer’s Association presents the webinar “COVID-19 and Caregiving,” via phone or online.

Caring for someone living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic adds challenges. This program provides simple tips for caregivers whether the person living with dementia lives at home, in a residential facility, or care providers come to the home. Call 800-272-3900 to register or visit ALZ.org/CRF Once you register, you get an email with the call-in information and instructions.

Thursday May 27

NATALIE OLIVAS TALKS ‘HARDCORE NATURAL HISTORY’ 6-7 p.m., Pacific Grove Museum Zoom Seminar The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History welcomes Natalie Olivas from Regeneración the year-long Hardcore Natural History speaker series on Zoom.

The series is in connection with the new “Changes” exhibit, which focuses on habitat change in the Monterey Bay area.

Local researchers and advocates will address the science behind current issues facing the coastal, valley and mountain habitats of Monterey County.

A graduate of CSU Monterey Bay, Olivas studied environmental studies with a Natalie Olivas concentration in science for sustainable communities. Her childhood in Los Angeles and Kern County exposed her to environmental degradation, which drove her to pursue a career in environmental justice.

Olivas now works as a community organizer at Regeneración, where she helps to build community capacity to advocate for equitable climate action. She works across sectors to weave climate justice into various programs and curriculums. Although the series is free, the museum suggests a donation is $15 per person. To watch, register online in advance to get a link to the webinar. See www.pgmuseum.org. n