As Assembly Chair of the Commission on Rural Resources, Assemblyman Santabarbara helped get the Comprehensive Broadband Connectivity Act passed in the state budget. Enacted in May 2021, it requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to identify and address issues regarding access to reliable internet service. It also requires the PSC to identify providers’ noncompliance with franchise agreements and create an internet access map to show the areas in New York that don’t have reliable broadband access. As part of this work, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara is inviting residents to take part in a survey to report how they use or would like to use broadband capabilities in their homes or businesses. The PSC will publish a full report of its findings by May 16, 2022.

“The COVID-19 crisis has made it clear just how debilitating a lack of quality broadband access is for the many communities here in upstate New York,” Santabarbara said. “But even before the pandemic forced us into virtual learning and remote working, many struggled to access broadband services to connect with loved ones, search for jobs, complete schoolwork and access tele-health services. I’ve long fought for more accessible broadband for rural New Yorkers and I’m happy to see this work finally underway. It’s an important step towards closing the gaps in broadband services and represents an important step in our recovery process,” Santabarbara said.

There are several ways to respond to the survey: It can be taken online at www.empirestatebroadband.com or at any of the locations below: The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and residents can also perform a speed test to check their current broadband connection’s upload and download speed.

Albany County

• Berne Public Library
  1763 Helderberg Trail
  Berne, N.Y. 12023

Schenectady County

• Mont Pleasant Branch Library
  1036 Crane St.
  Schenectady, N.Y. 12303
• Rotterdam Branch Library
  1100 N Westcott Road
  Rotterdam, N.Y. 12306
• Quaker Street Branch Library
  133 Bull St.
  Delanson, N.Y. 12053

 Montgomery County

• Amsterdam Free Library
  28 Church St.
  Amsterdam, N.Y. 12010
• Fort Hunter Free Library
  167 Fort Hunter Road
  Amsterdam, N.Y. 12010
• Canajoharie Library
  2 Erie Blvd.
  Canajoharie, N.Y. 13317
• Fort Plain Free Library
  19 Willett St.
  Fort Plain, N.Y. 13339
• Margaret Reaney Memorial Library
  19 Kingsbury Ave.
  St. Johnsville, N.Y. 13452
• Frothingham Free Library
  28 W Main St.
  Fonda, N.Y. 12068