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Broadband Grants Paused as Critics Allege Favoritism Toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
The hold affects more than $3 billion in federal broadband funds as lawmakers investigate award rules and alleged favoritism toward Starlink.
- The Texas Broadband Development Office placed an indefinite hold on all federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment disbursements effective Monday, following allegations of favoritism toward low-Earth orbit providers like Starlink.
- According to BDO director Bryant Clayton, a rule change favoring low-Earth orbit providers was a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott's office issued days before awards, allowing 10% of grant money upfront for Starlink.
- Sen. Charles Schwertner, overseeing the review, emphasized the committee intends to ensure transparency regarding the distribution of more than $3 billion in funding. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows requested a performance audit of the BDO.
- Responding to allegations, Kelly Hancock accused Amazon of "aggressively" lobbying state legislators, suggesting the dispute reflects broader corporate competition beyond the Starlink controversy.
- Legislative action to resolve the audit and determine the future of federal broadband funding will occur during the session beginning in January, setting a critical window for Texas.
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Associated Press News+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Broadband grants paused as critics allege favoritism toward Elon Musk’s Starlink
The Texas Broadband Development Office placed a temporary hold Tuesday on all disbursements of billions of dollars in federal funds related to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, or BEAD.
·New York, United States
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Texas pauses broadband funds amid Starlink scrutiny
The Texas Broadband Development Office placed a temporary hold Tuesday on all disbursements of billions of dollars in federal funds related to the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, or BEAD. The hold comes after the office was accused of favoritism to certain companies, specifically Elon Musk’s Starlink, which led to lawmakers announcing an audit. In an email obtained by The Texas Tribune, the state broadband office shared with s…
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left6Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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