But a new program from the Federal Communications Commission is poised to change that.
Beginning Wednesday, eligible households will be able to enroll in the FCC s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will provide a monthly discount on broadband internet service from an approved provider.
Consumers could receive discounts of up to $50 a month. A one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet will also be offered to eligible households, according to a news release from Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper.
Under the law, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is open to households that meet the following eligibility requirements:
Lifting Erie County families from the economic shock of COVID-19 and into a new, post-pandemic future will likely be the biggest challenge for the next County Council.
And with three seats on the seven-member body up for election this year, the onus will be on voters to decide who best to meet that challenge come 2022.
In the 2nd District, Democratic incumbent Andre Horton is running unopposed both in the May 18 primary and Nov. 2 general election making his reelection a guarantee.
However, Council Chairman Carl Anderson, a Democrat, is running for county executive, leaving his 4th District seat up for grabs.
The race for Erie County sheriff is devolving into a digital litmus test for the two Democratic candidates in the field.
First, it was Anthony Sanfilippo, who on Monday apologized for Facebook activity that mocked Black Lives Matter, President Obama and other long-held Democratic positions.
Now it s Chris Campanelli, his Democratic rival, whose social media posts convey a not-so-compassionate stance on immigration.
Campanelli and Sanfilippo will vie for the Democratic nomination in the May 18 primary and will likely face in the November general election the only Republican candidate, Brian Shank.
As recently as October 2020, Campanelli posted Facebook images that attacked illegal immigration and the Democratic Party s supposed willingness to support illegals and refugees as opposed to soldiers and homeless veterans.