Wisconsin Ag Connection - Walker Asking Legislature to Expand Rural Broadband Access

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Walker Asking Legislature to Expand Rural Broadband Access
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/02/2016

Governor Scott Walker has called on the State Legislature to pass a proposed bill that appropriates an additional $35.5 million for broadband expansion and technology programs over the next three fiscal years. Walker made the announcement at the Muehl Public Library in Seymour, where his first listening session was conducted in December 2015.

"Over the past year, we've conducted more than 70 listening sessions in communities throughout the state, and one of the topics we hear brought up all the time is access to reliable broadband internet," the governor said. "The proposed legislation we're asking the Legislature to act on triples the state's broadband and technology investments and it will allow Wisconsin communities, especially in rural areas, to compete for jobs, improve education, and provide a higher quality of life."

Specifically, the proposed measure expands broadband efforts and 'TEACH' grants in order to provide money to eligible schools, libraries and other educational institutions so they can upgrade technology and train teachers from small and rural school districts on technology.

In addition to providing more funds, the bill also knocks down a barrier to broadband development by prohibiting the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Transportation from requiring appraisals or charging any fee prior to granting any permits or easements for the construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.

Walker says funding for the programs would come from a surplus in the Universal Service Fund.

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