Obscure state law could hold up broadband expansion

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Toby Talbot / AP Photo

FILE PHOTO: A worker in rural Vermont installs fiber-optic cable to deliver broadband internet service.

Airdate: Monday, Jun 6, 2022

What was driven home the past two years to many Pennsylvania students, those who worked from home and businesses was how spotty or non-existent high speed internet service was. Expanding broadband internet became a priority.

The $1 billion dollars in infrastructure money coming to Pennsylvania from the federal government for broadband expansion was thought to be an answer. But local communities that wanted to build their own broadband networks are facing another challenge – an obscure 2004 state law intended to keep publicly-owned telephone companies from competing with utilities.

Spotlight PA reporter Charlotte Keith broke this story last week and is on Monday’s Smart Talk to tell us why this has become an issue.