— Gov. Tony Evers is touting a new report showing continued progress in expanding internet access for Wisconsinites, while also calling for more state investment.
Internet providers added 163,000 new fiber internet connections to homes and businesses in the state last year, and 93,000 previously unserved locations now have high-speed internet access, the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access report states. The number of unserved locations went down 28% and nearly 90% of households have internet subscriptions.
Evers in a statement said while he’s proud of the progress that has been made, there is “much more work to do.”
“Whether running a business, doing homework, talking to your doctor, or staying connected to friends and family, the digital divide is holding our state back,” Evers said. “We must do more to ensure Wisconsinites—no matter where they live—have access to affordable, high-speed internet, and I want to thank the PSC and this Task Force for outlining these important steps and priorities to continue moving toward the future of connectivity Wisconsin needs and deserves.”
Evers proposed investing $400 million in Wisconsin’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program, but the GOP-led Joint Finance Committee stripped the funding from the state budget.
His administration has argued the restructuring of the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program under the Trump administration will lead to delays in getting that funding out the door. The state was allocated more than $1 billion under the program to boost internet access.
According to the PSC’s Wisconsin Broadband Office, 39% of Wisconsinites still don’t have access to affordable internet, and 262,000 locations — 11.4% of locations — are considered unserved.
The report makes several recommendations, such as additional state budget investment in broadband expansion, providing technical support to BEAD recipients and internet service providers, and investing in and supporting workforce development efforts, youth apprenticeships, workforce training programs and awareness campaigns.
The report also notes several federal funding sources that provided aid for broadband access have been cut off – including the loss of $13 million in State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity grants in May and the termination of the Affordable Connectivity Program last year.
Read the full report here.
— The Universities of Wisconsin would see an additional $256 million in state aid under a budget agreement Gov. Tony Evers and legislative leaders announced today.
GOP lawmakers had been considering an $87 million cut to UW.
The package also calls for $840 million for capital projects across campuses. That includes $194 million for a science center at La Crosse, $189 million for a health sciences building in Milwaukee and $137 million for a new library on the Oshkosh campus.
As part of the package, UW employees would see $94 million in raises over the two-year budget.
In exchange, instructional staff would be required to increase their teaching loads or use outside resources to buy out their time, and it would be easier to transfer general education credits from UW colleges to other institutions, according to Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Assembly Finance Co-chair Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam.
“This budget delivers on our two biggest priorities; tax relief for Wisconsin and reforms to make government more accountable,” Vos said. “This deal brings those investments and reforms together and creates a Wisconsin that works for everyone.”
The deal also calls for $1 million for UW-Green Bay’s Rising Phoenix Early College High School Program that enables high schoolers to earn college credits. The cost would be covered by interest off federal COVID-19 funds.
The Dem guv and GOP lawmakers have been at odds over those interest earnings, estimated to be $172 million.
Republicans have argued Evers was obligated to deposit that money into the state’s general fund, which the guv has disputed. Earlier this year, Republicans pushed a bill seeking to force the guv to transfer the money and suggested legal action could be necessary to resolve the dispute.
— Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation plans to lay off 51 employees in Madison and Monona.
In a letter to the Department of Workforce Development, WPS said the decision was “in response to competitive pressures.”
The letter said the move is part of a general resource reduction plan and the layoffs will be permanent.
TOP STORIES
Clarios’ $6 billion US manufacturing plan hinges on Congress
US ginseng growers and animal breeders rely on exports to China. Now they wait on a trade deal.
TOPICS
AGRIBUSINESS
– $3.2M Approved to Strengthen Wisconsin Dairy Sector
CONSTRUCTION
– Imagination Center aims to be oasis for northeast Madison families
EDUCATION
– Lawmakers release funds for literacy but leave much of state budget undone
ENVIRONMENT
– What to know about land conservation, PFAS and camping fees in the state budget
HEALTH CARE
– Tens of thousands of Wisconsinites could lose health coverage under Trump’s budget bill
POLITICS
– After leading opposition to Trump’s budget bill, US Sen Ron Johnson votes to move it forward
REAL ESTATE
– Metro Milwaukee luxury home prices up sharply in the past 5 years. Median price: $1 million
– Land purchased in Port Washington for massive data center campus
– Franklin looks to cut red tape. Will the change attract new projects?
REGULATION
– Wisconsin lawmakers ask Congress to drop ban on state AI laws in ‘big, beautiful bill’
RETAIL
– Denver data center company begins acquiring land in Port Washington
SPORTS
– Milwaukee to host USA Fencing national championship
TECHNOLOGY
– Wisconsin broadband expansion complicated by Trump changes
PRESS RELEASES
See these and other press releases
