MidHudson News is reporting state Senator James Skoufis is leading a group of lawmakers to introduce legislation for the state to fund WiFi access for all people living in state-operated group homes and living facilities. Skoufis said it would cost under $1 million per year to fund the program. He unsuccessfully requested that the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities provide the funding. “To not provide internet to be able to talk with on Facetime or Zoom with loved ones. Not to be able to potentially provide the resources necessary for those who are in school to be able to get an education. To not provide internet for telemedicine. A lot of these residents can’t get to a doctor’s office,” he said. Assemblymember Aileen Gunther, chair of the Committee on Mental Health, said it is “absurd” that the state is not providing free WiFi for their residents. “Some families haven’t seen their loved ones in nearly a year and internet may be their only way of connecting.” Doug Hovey, president and CEO of Independent living, Inc., in Newburgh, said he “can’t think of anything more important than being able to communicate with our families and loved ones especially during the pandemic. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.