diff --git a/DAS/simulator.py b/DAS/simulator.py
index a51a291..0253bd4 100644
--- a/DAS/simulator.py
+++ b/DAS/simulator.py
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ class Simulator:
         # pushed out by the proposer.
         # 1: the data is sent out exactly once on rows and once on columns (2 copies in total)
         # self.shape.netDegree: default behavior similar (but not same) to previous code
-        self.proposerPublishTo = self.shape.netDegree   # TODO: make this an external parameter
+        self.proposerPublishToR = config.evalConf(self, config.proposerPublishToR, shape)
+        self.proposerPublishToC = config.evalConf(self, config.proposerPublishToR, shape)
 
     def initValidators(self):
         """It initializes all the validators in the network."""
@@ -171,12 +172,12 @@ class Simulator:
         for v in self.validators:
             if (self.proposerPublishOnly and v.amIproposer):
                 for id in v.rowIDs:
-                    count = min(self.proposerPublishTo, len(rowChannels[id]))
+                    count = min(self.proposerPublishToR, len(rowChannels[id]))
                     publishTo = random.sample(rowChannels[id], count)
                     for vi in publishTo:
                         v.rowNeighbors[id].update({vi.ID : Neighbor(vi, 0, self.shape.blockSizeR)})
                 for id in v.columnIDs:
-                    count = min(self.proposerPublishTo, len(columnChannels[id]))
+                    count = min(self.proposerPublishToC, len(columnChannels[id]))
                     publishTo = random.sample(columnChannels[id], count)
                     for vi in publishTo:
                         v.columnNeighbors[id].update({vi.ID : Neighbor(vi, 1, self.shape.blockSizeC)})
diff --git a/smallConf.py b/smallConf.py
index 065561c..530fb7e 100644
--- a/smallConf.py
+++ b/smallConf.py
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ blockSizes = range(64, 113, 128)
 # Per-topic mesh neighborhood size
 netDegrees = range(8, 9, 2)
 
+# How many copies are sent out by the block producer
+# Note, previously this was set to match netDegree
+proposerPublishToR = "shape.netDegree"
+proposerPublishToC = "shape.netDegree"
+
 # number of rows and columns a validator is interested in
 chis = range(2, 3, 2)