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Gov. Branstad signs broadband bill into law

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June 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

PERRY, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has signed a bill into law that is aimed at expanding high-speed Internet in Iowa. Branstad signed the bill Monday at an equipment supplier in Perry. The law creates a property tax relief program for service providers adding infrastructure for high-speed Internet, also known as broadband. It also designates more responsibility to the state’s chief information officer to establish more broadband opportunities.

Branstad made broadband expansion a legislative priority during the last two years, but lawmakers were often at odds over its implementation. A bill with more tax incentives for service providers failed in 2014. Lawmakers this year disagreed on the direction of a grant program that was stripped of $5 million in state dollars. The program is in the law, but it will be privately funded.