Beto O'Rourke: Invest in rural areas like Marshall to help them thrive

[TexasTowelie]

I was grateful to spend more time behind the pine curtain last week, where we met with folks to talk about the big things that can move this state forward, like making sure we have world-class schools, that we create the best jobs in America right in East Texas, and that we expand healthcare access so that every Texan can be well enough to live up to their full potential.

In Marshall, I spoke with a man in the telecommunications industry that expressed major concerns about broadband access in Harrison County because all three of those things — jobs, education, and healthcare — depend on reliable internet access, yet nearly a third of the county’s residents lack the most basic level of broadband.

An even bigger concern, he said, was that network service in the region could soon become even more inaccessible.

East Texas households could soon see their phone and internet bills go up anywhere between $25-$175 per month because state leaders have defunded the Texas Universal Service Fund, a state-administered fund designed to keep telecommunications costs affordable in hard-to-reach areas in counties like Greg, Rusk, Harrison, and the rest of rural Texas.

Read more: https://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/opinion/guest-column-invest-in-rural-areas-like-marshall-to-help-them-thrive/article_5aaaf27a-62ba-11ec-9487-2f8184d9adb3.html

[left-of-center2012]

1. Have there been any recent polls on how he is doing?

[TexasTowelie]

2. The last poll was on December 8 by Quinnipiac and showed Abbott ahead by 15%.

However, Quinnipiac has not done much polling in Texas before (the only other time was 2018). Therefore, the poll lacks some of the refinement that other polls with a longer track record might have. My guess is that Beto is down about eight points. The race may tighten if electricity prices climb as predicted. There is some dissatisfaction for Abbott from Republicans so I'll be an optimist and say that anything can happen.