VICTORY! Citizens Defeat Taxpayer-Funded Broadband in Lucas, Texas

For Immediate Release
November 5, 2020
Contact: Grace Morgan
(202-855-4380)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On November 3, 2020, residents in Lucas, Texas defeated a ballot measure, Proposition B, that would have issued general obligation bonds for the “Lucas Broadband Project,” a government-owned broadband network (GON) for the city. The estimated cost for the project was more than $23 million, with general obligation bonds totaling more than $19 million. Residents in Lucas, Texas rejected Proposition B on Election Day with over 60 percent of the vote.  TPA got involved with the ballot initiative after being contacted by a concerned citizen from Lucas.

TPA President David Williams issued the following statement:

“GONs have long been a boondoggle for taxpayers. These costly systems typically go far over-budget, take many years to produce, and end up failing the consumer. TPA is glad to see residents in Lucas reject this wasteful spending.”

“After the city of Lucas hired Magellan Advisors to conduct a ‘feasibility study,’ it was clear that there would be problems if this project proceeded. It was evident that this GON was not in the best interest of the consumer. With private investment in broadband steadily increasing, the need for government networks is nonexistent. TPA will continue to push back against GONs across the country and warn residents of the wasteful spending and failed systems that could come to their town next. We were proud of the residents of Lucas as they defeated this costly initiative.”

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