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Commentary from us and our readers.
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Written by GOV Press Wisconsin
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Friday, 22 October 2021 09:38 |
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 MADISON — On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers delivered the Democratic Radio Address highlighting investments made to enhance broadband access and infrastructure across the state, including $100 million in Broadband Access Grants funded through the American Rescue Plan Act announced last week.
Audio files of Radio Address.
Hi, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.
Over the last 18 months, the pandemic underscored—and in many ways made worse—the digital divides that exist across our state.
As kids and educators turned their kitchens into classrooms, doctor’s appointments moved to telemedicine, and businesses worked to shift to offering online services, we saw firsthand that lack of access to reliable, high-speed internet was a challenge for so many.
That’s why I declared 2021 the Year of the Broadband Access in Wisconsin, and it’s why we’ve continued to make huge, exciting investments in broadband infrastructure.
I’m proud that in the budget I recently signed we provided $129 million for broadband expansion projects, and just last week we announced the recipients of $100 million in Broadband Access Grants that we funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
These 83 projects will help expand broadband to more than 28,426 residential locations and 1,490 businesses that are currently unserved or underserved across 40 counties and three tribal communities.
And altogether, our 2019, 2020, and 2021 state broadband expansion grants and our federally-funded CARES Act and ARPA broadband grants have provided or are going to provide more than 300,000 homes and businesses with access to new or improved service.
Folks, that’s a heckuva big deal. Having reliable, high-speed internet access is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for our schools, families, healthcare systems, and businesses alike.
But we can’t—and won’t—stop there. Whether it’s expanding broadband to our rural schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities or raising standards on download and upload speeds, we’re going to keep working to make sure every community in our state gets connected.
Thank you. |
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Written by Gordon Hintz Press, Rep. 54th Assembly District
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Friday, 22 October 2021 08:47 |
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 The level of contempt by Wisconsin Republicans for democracy and the people of our state never ceases to amaze me, says Hintz.
MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) issued the following statement:
“These new maps are nothing more than gerrymandering 2.0. What Republicans have unveiled is simply a minor retooling of maps that were already found unconstitutional by the courts, using the same corrupt and secretive methods as last time around.
“The level of contempt by Wisconsin Republicans for democracy and the people of our state never ceases to amaze me.” |
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Written by Janet Bewley Press, State Senator Dist 25
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Thursday, 21 October 2021 10:17 |
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 GOP bills blatantly ignore science and give credibility to false, unsafe, and inflammatory rhetoric, says Bewley.
Madison, WI – Wednesday, the Republican-controlled Senate passed several pieces of legislation which would limit access to safe, legal abortion, contraceptives, and reproductive freedom. After the session, Senate Democratic Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason) released the following statement:
 “Today was another missed opportunity for Senate Republicans to pass legislation that actually helps the wellbeing of children and families in our state. We could have voted on meaningful policy for Wisconsin mothers and infants, such as the proposed Birth Equity Act. Instead, the Republican majority once again chose to play politics with the health of Wisconsin women.
“These bills blatantly ignore science and give credibility to false, unsafe, and inflammatory rhetoric, posing great danger to those seeking abortion care. Wisconsin is regarded as one of the worst states for maternal and child health outcomes. These bills would make the problem worse by shutting down clinics and limiting options for reproductive health.
“The bills passed today represent how unwilling Republicans are to believe their own constituents. The vast majority (79%) of Americans support legal abortion, but Republicans choose to appease their base.
“I am thankful that Governor Evers will veto these horrendous bills. However, I am equally disheartened that the majority party ignores their own constituents and wastes time creating theater of the absurd.” |
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Written by Melissa Agard Press
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Wednesday, 20 October 2021 16:17 |
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 MADISON - Today, the State Senate will vote on a slate of anti-abortion bills aimed at demonizing and limiting access to abortion in Wisconsin. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement regarding the bills on the floor today:
 “Everyone in our state needs to understand why these bills are being brought forward. Partisan gerrymandering has led to extreme districts that elect extreme politicians who support extreme policies. The gerrymandered majority in Wisconsin does not reflect the will of the people who overwhelming believe legal abortion must be available in Wisconsin. Until legislative districts are un-rigged, we will continue to see an agenda that is out of touch with what ordinary Wisconsinites are asking for.
“Let me say this loud and clear: abortion is healthcare. If we want Wisconsinites to have the opportunity to live healthy lives, abortion has to be an option for anyone seeking that care and it must be accessible.
“Throughout this session, we have seen a disappointing and recurring pattern from GOP legislators limiting health options and access for ordinary Wisconsinites. They did this through not expanding BadgerCare access to over 90,000 Wisconsinites. They did it again by stripping Governor Evers’ Healthy Women, Healthy Babies initiative from the budget. Now, they are doing it again by bringing these anti-abortion bills forward, rather than passing legislation that would expand access to care and increase positive health outcomes.
“Gerrymandered maps brought us to where we are today. It is time that we put aside partisan games - let’s start actually doing work to benefit the health outcomes of Wisconsinites. The people of Wisconsin deserve better than this.” |
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Written by Lena Taylor, State Senator, 4th District
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Tuesday, 19 October 2021 15:41 |
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 MADISON – Monday, Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement, regarding the passing of the 65th United States Secretary of State, General Colin Powell:
 “Colin Powell was to my generation, what Barack Obama was to my son and his contemporaries. He helped Black people, he helped all of us, understand what was possible when we make a conscious decision to only see the individual. In a nation where race or politics have been flashpoints for division, Powell was able to move effectively through both realities. General Powell made the rest of us want to be better human beings. While acknowledging his many historic “firsts”, I am drawn to how he made me feel about my country, and his insistence that there was a place for all of us to be of service. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and thank them for the many years they shared him with us.”
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