TechBytes

Texas legislators should consider investing in the necessary technology to properly serve its wards in its deficient foster care system instead of spending their time in populist pontificating against “Big Tech.”

Loads of new federal dollars for expanded broadband access presents Texas (and other states) an opportunity to make broadband available to every resident. But the state will have to stay laser-focused on reaching unserved communities instead of taking the easier road and creating additional competition for existing broadband customers.

You can be forgiven for not knowing that today is World Wi-Fi Day, but you’re certainly aware of the importance of wi-fi to our modern economy and lifestyles. That’s why it’s concerning that Congress has allowed the FCC’s authority to auction and allocate spectrum to lapse. Congress should prioritize restoring the FCC’s authority with the recognition that unlicensed spectrum is also of immense economic value to the economy.

A variety of legislative proposals across the country attempt to limit “children’s” or minors’ ability to be online, but the implications reach right to our basic liberties.

Critics of Big Tech are misrepresenting Section 230 and purposely convoluting its meaning. It’s really not all that complicated.

While Congressman Ken Buck (R-CO) says “Big Tech” is “crushing” free speech, we are crushed to see Rep. Buck and fawning organizations abandoning their free market, limited government principles.

Broadband access enables access to information, education, healthcare and community, but many American households simply do not take advantage of access to broadband. Efforts to increase broadband adoption through digital literacy education are an investment that can pay off in economic growth for local communities.

Government regulators prize protecting their political constituencies above realizing all the benefits and gains to consumers that result from encouraging and implementing technology and innovation. 

Like the Texians before them, today’s Texans overwhelmingly believe in free markets, private property, individual liberty and lesser government. HB 20 violates not only these principles but also the free speech protections of both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions.

For the sake of our economy, for the promise of a better quality of life, and greater discovery, we should allow permissionless innovation unless harm can be demonstrated. And even then, such regulation should be minimal and flexible.