An anonymous reader quotes Ars Technica's report: The report states that although Ohio's legislature doesn't ban public networks, at the moment, it "is not allowing municipal networks to apply for funding." "Staten was happy to remove the budget amendment. However, he described the victory as bittersweet because municipalities and electric cooperatives within the state are not eligible for the $250 million broadband expansion grant program. This program will be established when and if Gov. The ILSR stated that Dewine will sign the budget into law. It is not yet clear what the outcome will be. Staten stated to the ILSR that they had been asking for a minor definition change to include electric coops and municipalities. However, unless they changed it, I believe the House version is valid.
