Jay Rockefeller: “For years now, it has been a goal of mine to make sure that West Virginians, and indeed all Americans, can have access…”

“For years now, it has been a goal of mine to make sure that West Virginians, and indeed all Americans, can have access to technology. The primary reason I introduced the broadband tax credit is to help address some of the most intractable problems associated with our country's transition to the digital economy--unequal availability of broadband access technologies. This tax credit will encourage deployment of broadband facilities in areas where such technologies have not, and, without Congressional action, perhaps will not, be made available. With the help of the tax credit, people and businesses in these areas will be able to more fully benefit from the networked economy, and from activities such as telemedicine, telecommuting, and distance learning. This has positive consequences for everyone--not just those in rural areas--that go beyond the marketplace. I also think it important to understand that this technology will also be an important driver of productivity and economic growth.”