October 23, 2019

Fiscal Notes: Texas’ Digital Divide

(AUSTIN) — In the October edition of Fiscal Notes, released today, the Comptroller’s office looks at the state of broadband in Texas’ rural communities: Of the 3 million Texans who live outside of our metropolitan areas, nearly a third can’t access high-speed internet.

“It’s a wired world today, and we can’t expect our state to flourish unless we make sure as many Texans as possible have access to dependable high-speed internet for everything from educational and medical services to agricultural technology and online sales,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said.

This issue also takes a look at long lines and lengthy waits for driver’s license services. Since 2011, the Legislature has appropriated more than $440 million to improve customer service at the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) driver’s license offices, but due to rapid population growth, the agency’s goal of completing at least three-quarters of driver’s license transactions within 45 minutes is further away than ever.

Fiscal Notes is available online and can be received by subscribing via the Comptroller’s website.

Fiscal Notes furthers the Comptroller’s constitutional responsibility to monitor the state’s economy and estimate state government revenues. It has been published since 1975, featuring in-depth analysis concerning state finances and original research by subject-matter experts in the Comptroller’s office.