Evers talks broadband access on campaign trail

MADISON, Wis. —It is now more than a year since Gov. Tony Evers declared 2021 the Year of Broadband Access during his 2021 State of the State address, something that the governor says “means a lot.”

“I was visiting with folks that have the [broadband] cable right to their house, and it’s going to be put in sometime in the next couple of weeks. The guy said, ‘I walked out the house this morning and when I saw that cable and I almost cried,’” Evers said.

Since the pandemic hit in 2020, Evers — who is up for reelection this fall — has allocated $300 million in both federal pandemic and state funds to help bolster broadband access in Wisconsin. That includes helping companies afford the cost of placing new lines around the state.

“We have to put as much money upfront as possible so that the provider isn’t trying to catch up,” Evers said, “so that it remains at a really, really important price point where people can actually afford it.”

Evers said keeping the cost down is an important part of keeping broadband expansion equitable, as well as expanding into both rural and urban areas.

According to a release from the governor’s office, Wisconsin has made progress toward connecting 387,000 households and businesses with improved service. Without indicating exactly how many have already been reached, a report from the governor’s task force on broadband access released this week indicates a “sizable amount” of homes have been reached since 2021.

If reelected, Evers said he wants to put another $300 million into broadband expansion, something he says he hopes to work with Republicans on.

Though the governor has taken the issue to the campaign trail, broadband access is broadly a bipartisan issue. Both Tim Michels and Rebecca Kleefisch, two of Evers’ Republican challengers, have indicated their support for expanding broadband.

Evers talks broadband access on campaign trail

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