LEMONT FURNACE – Senator Pat Stefano (R-Fayette/Somerset/Westmoreland) is bringing the Senate Communications and Technology Committee to Penn State Fayette to explore the implications of high-speed internet on Pennsylvania’s two critical industries – agriculture and education.
The committee, chaired by Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), is conducting a series of public hearings across the state with a focus on closing the Commonwealth’s digital divide. The goal of the hearings is to weigh how lack of access to high-speed internet affects different industries and public services across the state.
“Connection to high speed internet is critical for all of Pennsylvania and is a particularly relevant issue in many rural communities like the ones that I serve,” Stefano said. “That is why I am grateful that Chairwoman Phillips-Hill is bringing the Communications and Technology Committee to my district to discuss this issue. This is an issue that deserves the attention of all levels of government and I’m pleased to host this hearing to facilitate that discussion and better understand what is happening on the ground.”
“Our state’s largest industry – agriculture – relies heavily on new technology to be more efficient and competitive, but without high-speed internet, many of our farmers are getting left behind,” Phillips-Hill. “York County farmers are no different than farmers in the southwestern part of our state – they all are turning to technologies to accurately monitor and control their herds, flocks and crops. In addition to our agriculture community, education is going from textbook to Chromebook. This hearing is extremely important for two sectors of our state’s economy. I am thankful Senator Stefano agreed to host this public hearing.”
The hearing will be held on September 5 at 10 a.m. at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus at the Magerko Hall in the Community Center, 2201 University Drive in Lemont Furnace. It is open to the public.
You can learn more about the public hearing, view the agenda and read testimony at communications.pasenategop.com.
Contacts:
Ben Wren (Stefano)
724.626.1611
Jon Hopcraft (Phillips-Hill)
717.787.7085