Like New Jersey’s hard-working families, government officials must prioritize spending and resources. My organization, Jersey 1st was founded with the mission of advocating for working families and taxpayers of the Garden State. We strive to promote economic policies that protect tax dollars and reject wasteful government spending.
That’s why we recently conducted a campaign in the City of Vineland to inform residents about the city’s proposal to fund a government-owned broadband network that could be established with taxpayer dollars. Mayor Anthony Fanucci has advocated this for years and mentioned it in a 2022 interview.
While it may sound like a good idea, a study by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, a free-market advocacy group, found these projects often fail and leave residents footing the bill, due to underestimated buildout costs, subscriber rates falling short of projections and irresponsible borrowing.
Government entities are simply not well equipped to successfully build, maintain and upgrade a broadband network. The report found these efforts often result in massive debt, waste and broken promises. Additionally, they can use taxpayer funds to compete unfairly against private businesses.
Vineland residents can already access high-speed internet through private broadband networks. Existing broadband internet infrastructure reaches more than 99% of the city. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides cost-effective or free access to eligible households.
Vineland families have enough economic challenges with inflation, high taxes and a rising cost of living. That’s why an overwhelming 71% of Vineland residents who were contacted by Jersey 1st and presented with its information opposed city-owned broadband, and 2,772 residents signed a pledge card to oppose spending their tax dollars on an unnecessary city-owned broadband network.
Vineland residents are speaking out on how their elected officials should prioritize spending their hard-earned money, and we found that an overwhelming majority opposes a municipally owned broadband network. The question is, are Vineland government officials listening?
Rosemary Becchi, Short Hills
The writer is president and founder of the advocacy group Jersey 1st.