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Virginia Broadband Deployment Act would kill municipal broadband deployment
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/01/virginia-broadband-deployment-act-would-kill-municipal-broadband-deployment/The Virginia House of Delegates legislation proposed this week by Republican lawmaker Kathy Byron (full text) would prohibit municipal broadband deployments except in very limited circumstances. Among other things, a locality wouldn't be allowed to offer Internet service if an existing network already provides 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload speeds to 90 percent of potential customers. That speed threshold is low enough that it can be met by old DSL lines in areas that haven't received more modern cable and fiber networks.
Even if that condition is met, a city or town would have to jump through a few hoops before offering service.
Also see - Republican-Dominated State Legislatures Mobilize to Preempt Progressive Local Laws
http://www.truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/state-preemption-laws-may-prevent-progressive-action-in-gop-dominated-states