ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--LAWMAKERS IN ALBANY ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO INTERNET IN HOMELESS SHELTERS.

“Poverty is a policy decision. It’s a decision to decide to make people less than but we stand here united making sure that we empower our communities,” said Assembly Member Michaelle Solages (D-Assembly District 22).

LEGISLATION IN ALBANY WOULD PROVIDE INTERNET ACCESS IN ALL HOMELESS SHELTERS IN THE STATE-- A MEASURE SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS.  

AND WHILE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE TO TAKE SHAPE, SOME LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING TO MAKE THIS POLICY A FINAL BUDGET ITEM.  

“I think we have a prime opportunity to make sure this is in our final budget. That finally our unhoused New Yorkers have access to Wi-Fi, a bare necessity. It is the simplest thing that we can ask for,” said Assembly Member Karines Reyes (D-Assembly District 87).

LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES EMPHASIZED WI-FI ACCESS IS CRITICAL-- ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS IN SHELTERS TO FIND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES, ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL, CRISIS INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT NETWORKS.  

SOME ADVOCATES SAid WHEN THEY SPENT TIME IN SHELTERS, SOME MADE THE RESIDENTS PAY FOR THEIR OWN Wi-Fi SERVICES. 

“A lot of the residents had to take a bus to the library or go to the McDonalds around the corner just to get some Wi-Fi,” said  Elizabeth Mackey, an advocate and former shelter resident.

THE FINAL BUDGET IS DUE APRIL 4, FOLLOWING AN EXTENDER PASSED THIS WEEK.