The budget-writing Joint Finance Committee is recommending a $125 million investment over the next two years to help expand broadband Internet to underserved areas of rural Wisconsin.
Republican co-chairs of the panel say the program would be funded through bonds, with additional resources coming from the federal pandemic relief money the state is getting for the purpose of expanding broadband.
Gov. Tony Evers originally proposed $200 million for rural Internet expansion after declaring the year 2021 as the Year of Broadband.
The budget committee is in the process of finalizing its budget plan, which will head to the legislature for consideration later this month.
It is estimates that nearly 400,000 Wisconsin residents do not have access to high-speed Internet.
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy