Mass Priorities Publishes Issue Guide for Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Mass Priorities has published an issue guide for the town administrators and residents of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, to educate about the risks and costs of government-owned broadband networks.

In the issue guide, Mass Priorities explained, "At a time when Fairhaven faces a $2.2 million budget deficit, it's imperative to understand the implications of Article 11. Article 11 asks for two significant financial commitments from Fairhaven residents regarding a government-owned municipal broadband network. First, it seeks approval to borrow $20,645,527 to build the network. Second, it suggests setting up a Municipal Fiber Enterprise Fund, allowing further increases in spending beyond the initial borrowed amount in the years to come. With the town already facing significant fiscal challenges, the proposal to fund an unneeded pet project--a potential municipal broadband network--is an example of misplaced priorities."

Read the full issue guide here.