Wis. Report Seeks More Broadband Cash, ACP Successor

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said Friday he will ask the legislature to spend more on broadband in the next state budget. Evers made the announcement as his broadband task force released its fourth annual report. Spending $345 million in state and federal funds for broadband since 2019 has brought Wisconsin a broadband adoption rate of about 88%, the report said. “Through our investments, more than 410,000 homes and businesses will be connected to new or improved high-speed internet service, but as this report shows, we've got more work to do,” said Evers. The report’s recommendations include continued state spending on broadband, more workforce training, streamlined permitting and locating processes and greater coordination with tribes and localities. To fill the gap the end of the federal affordable connectivity program (ACP) left, the task force recommended creating “a state internet assistance program to increase broadband affordability and adoption.”