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New Federal Guidelines for Broadband Access Funding an Attack on Rural California

July 7, 2025

The Trump administration's revised guidelines for the $42. 5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program threaten to deprive California of billions in funding for broadband expansion in rural communities. These new guidelines, announced on June 6, follow the termination of California's Digital Equity Capacity Program on May 9, 2025, which resulted in an immediate loss of $70 million.

Who is affected

  • Low-income minority households in rural parts of California
  • Farmworkers in agricultural counties, particularly in the Eastern Coachella Valley
  • California Indian communities in northern California, including Hoopa and Yurok tribal governments
  • Rural communities with concentrations of low-income ethnic minorities and immigrants
  • Approximately 2 million California households that currently lack broadband access
  • School districts with high levels of poverty that depend on accurately reported census data

What action is being taken

  • The federal government is implementing new guidelines for the BEAD program that could deprive California of billions of dollars
  • The federal administration has terminated California's Digital Equity Capacity Program
  • The Trump administration is revising BEAD funding guidelines in what the article characterizes as a "political assault" on certain rural communities
  • The administration is simultaneously proposing to eliminate Job Corps and seeking a $1.8 billion cut in Workforce Investment Opportunity Act funding

Why it matters

  • Digital equity is crucial for access to healthcare, education, household financial management, and civic participation
  • More than half of California's current spending on broadband infrastructure ($4.9 billion out of $7.8 billion) comes from federal sources
  • For 61% of California households without broadband, cost is the main barrier to connectivity
  • Broadband access affects census response rates, which impacts funding allocation for crucial programs like compensatory education
  • Digital skills are required for 92% of jobs across industries and occupations
  • The Hoopa and Yurok tribal governments' announced broadband expansion plans are now threatened

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint