Rep. Mary Dye addresses technology leaders in Spokane

Rural Washington is waiting. This seemed to be the predominant message at a technology roundtable in Spokane this past week, where concerns about inadequate broadband service drew a packed house.

For Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, the meeting was the latest in a long series of gatherings held over a span of 18-months, geared toward addressing the increasing need for essential services in counties across the state.

“Today’s world moves at the speed of light,” said Dye. “In the majority of our rural communities, residents are forced to do business with what feels like the equivalent of dial-up.

“It i...