Spreading Broadband Requires Local, National Unity, Says Levin
Bridging the digital divide requires balancing responsibilities between local and national policymakers, but “the federal government has overstepped its appropriate role, constricting local governments’ abilities to craft locally tailored solutions,” Brookings Senior Fellow Blair Levin blogged Friday. FCC Commissioner Brendan…
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Carr’s arguments for local pre-emption are “factually flawed,” said Levin, adding that one-size-fits-all federal rules for local property use is “over the line.” Mayors like San Jose’s Sam Liccardo (D) can better focus on their communities’ interest because they are “answerable to local citizens far more than a far-off federal official, and they have obtained the consent of the governed in a way the federal official has not,” Levin said. “Different cities should be allowed to answer the question differently.” Carr didn’t comment.