A plan to expand high-speed internet access in rural Wisconsin is facing delays due to funding shortfalls and political disagreements. The $42.4 billion BEAD program has stalled in the state after the Wisconsin legislature declined to fund it in the latest budget, and the Trump administration launched a review of the program.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers urged continued federal support, warning that delays could harm over 450,000 unserved or underserved homes and businesses, reports The Center Square. He criticized the review for potentially slowing broadband rollout, especially since state and federal investments of $345 million have already been made.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick supports the review, saying the program needs to be restructured to remove what he calls “woke mandates,” including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Critics, including conservative legal groups, argue the program’s DEI requirements amount to unconstitutional racial preferences. Evers and state Democrats reject these claims, defending the program’s focus on equity and insisting it aims to provide equal access for all communities regardless of race or location.
Reader Interactions