88th LegislatureTaxes & SpendingTexas Senate Bill to Make Rural Telecom Fund Solvent, Remove Consumer Fee
The legislation would alleviate the governor's concern that caused him to veto the 2021 bill.
The legislation would alleviate the governor's concern that caused him to veto the 2021 bill.
The TUSF has lingered in growing debt since a 2020 decision was made by the Public Utility Commission to reject a much smaller rate increase.
In 2020, the Public Utility Commission declined to raise fees that finance the fund mandated by state law, setting it on the path toward insolvency.
A dispute between rural telecommunications providers and the state has led to rising costs for Texans reliant on remote service.
This week — a look at Texas politics the week of the legislative bill filing deadline.
The state mandates telecommunications access for Texans, but according to a new lawsuit the state has abrogated its responsibility to supplement costs for those tasked with fulfilling the order.