Jane Raybould on Technology

Develop broadband via rural development matching grants

Fischer cited congressional efforts to aid companies willing to serve rural areas, and to help smaller companies buy wireless spectrum from larger wireless companies to sell Internet access. She cited her recent efforts during farm bill negotiations to make sure that broadband development qualified for matching grants under rural development guidelines.

Raybould called for more direct federal investment. She said expansion of rural broadband should be treated the way the country once boosted rural electrification--as a public utility. She says federal investments, whether from existing cellphone fees, existing discretionary dollars, grants or tax bill rollbacks, should be directed at the areas receiving the least service now to stretch dollars further.

Design infrastructure to withstand climate change flooding

Fischer pointed to her work to improve water quality and her efforts to ease regulations that affect Omaha's sewer separation project.

Raybould says Congress needs to be more creative in its infrastructure requirements, raising standards for roads, bridges and other infrastructure so they can withstand flooding in a changing climate.