Senate passes fast-tracked rural school broadband bill, Dunleavy promises quick signature

The Alaska Senate on Monday passed a fast-tracked bill that aims to boost internet speeds at rural schools. The House passed the bill last week, and it now heads to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s desk. The bill increases the amount of state money provided to school districts to purchase broadband service. Right now, schools are only reimbursed for 25-megabit-per-second service; the bill would provide funding for schools to purchase 100-megabit service under the federal E-Rate program. It’s estimated to cost the state $39 million. Sen. Lyman Hoffman, a Bethel Democrat, says...