Public officials feared the language in Ohio's proposed budget could have put municipal broadband Internet services — such as FairlawnGig and more than 30 other municipal broadband providers in Ohio, including in Hudson and Wadsworth — out of business.
Local officials attributed the removal to a grassroots campaign that they said included more than 500 individual emails from FairlawnGig customers and nearly 20 city proclamations and letters from mayors.
"We'd like to thank everyone in Fairlawn and Summit County for their support in rallying together to tell elected officials in Columbus how important municipal broadband is to them," Fairlawn Director of Public Service Ernie Staten, who oversees FairlawnGig, said in a statement. "Municipalities only enter the broadband space when forced to by the inaction of the private sector. The competition and service we bring is the key difference for many communities to compete and thrive in the 21st century economy."
The language, inserted without prior public discussion during state Senate deliberations on Ohio's two-year budget, drew condemnation from numerous sources, with local officials saying it was unconstitutional and stepped on counties' home rule.
Local officials also said they were disturbed the language was added without prior public disclosure and discussion.
The language in the state's proposal said in part municipalities could have provided broadband services only to subscribers in unserved areas. The inserted language appeared aimed at protecting private broadband providers, critics said.
Local officials have said broadband Internet is now a public utility, like electricity and water. Fiber optic broadband Internet also is necessary for public safety and emergency services on many levels, officials said.
Local governmental bodies, including Summit County Council and the Medina County Commissioners, passed resolutions condemning the language. Along with Fairlawn and Hudson, the Medina County Port Authority and the city of Wadsworth also have broadband networks.
"We're thrilled that communities like Fairlawn and Hudson can keep serving their communities," Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro said in a statement. "Our ability to work with private providers and established public partners like these communities is crucial to our plans to provide high speed broadband that connects all 31 of our communities and supports public safety, education, economic development, remote work and a host of high tech needs within our communities. The ability to use federal infrastructure dollars in this way can be a true game changer for the future of our County."
Ohio lawmakers finally settled on a $75 billion, two-year spending plan that cuts income taxes, creates a new school funding formula and lets college athletes make money off their images.
On Monday afternoon, a bipartisan committee released the final version for consideration by the House and Senate. The two chambers were expected to approve the budget Monday evening and send it to Gov. Mike DeWine ahead of the July 1 deadline.
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