California fights “preposterous” Trump admin demand to scrap state broadband laws

California is accepting $1.42 billion in federal broadband grants while challenging a Trump administration condition that would require it to stop enforcing net neutrality and other telecom rules. The dispute matters because it could lead to legal action and delay or halt grants intended to expand internet access.

The federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment programme is worth $42 billion. California plans to use its share to connect 270,571 locations and could receive up to $1.86 billion in total. The state says the condition may be unconstitutional and will not distribute funds to internet providers until it resolves the disagreement; the federal agency says the award terms remain in force.