Op-Ed: Pennsylvania is Standing in Its Own Way on Broadband

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and Rep. Tina Pickett (R-110)

Pennsylvania is finally getting the hundreds of millions of dollars it needs to bring high-speed internet to rural communities. This is our chance to connect homes, schools, farms and small businesses that have been left behind.

But unless we fix a problem rooted in Pennsylvania's bureaucratic barriers, too much of that money will be wasted, and too many people will remain unconnected. Outdated labor classifications are inflating costs and limiting progress.

In Pennsylvania, broadband workers are treated like electric linemen, even though the jobs are very different. Electric linemen perform dangerous, highly skilled work, handling live wires and climbing power poles.

Broadband technicians are laying fiber, installing equipment and building digital networks. When we pay them as if they are doing electrical work, the cost of each project goes up. That means less resources for actual construction and deployment, slower progress and fewer connected homes.

If Pennsylvania fails to act swiftly, we risk falling even further behind in our mission to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to every rural household. States like Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia have already modernized their labor policies to support broadband expansion. They've implemented clear, job-specific classifications and wage structures.

By aligning compensation with the actual scope of broadband work, these states are able to stretch their infrastructure dollars further. The result? Faster project timelines, broader coverage and more efficient use of public funds.

Unless we update our approach, we will continue to lose ground while our neighbors move ahead. The time to act is now.

We're introducing legislation to clarify how prevailing wage requirements are applied to broadband infrastructure development projects and make sure broadband workers are paid fairly for the work they actually do.

Let us be clear: This legislation does not remove prevailing wage protections. It simply requires Pennsylvania to create job classifications and wage rates that reflect the actual work being done on broadband projects. This will help us make the most of the federal funding we've received.

Digital infrastructure is the backbone of a modern economy. If Pennsylvania wants to compete in a global marketplace, we must ensure our policies support, not hinder, our ability to build that infrastructure efficiently and equitably. Right now, we're on the losing side of the digital divide, and it's a problem of our own making.

Sen. Gene Yaw represents the 23^rd Senatorial District, consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties. He serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Rep. Tina Pickett represents the 110^th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, consisting of parts of Bradford County and all of Wyoming County. She serves as Republican chair of the Insurance Committee.

CONTACT:

Elizabeth Weitzel (Yaw)
717-787-3280
Kalie Morrow (Pickett)
717-772-9824