Wisconsin governor at La Crosse listening session, promoting broadband internet access

Expansion of broadband service around Wisconsin brought the governor and the head of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the La Crosse Public Library on Monday.

Gov. Tony Evers said the state has to do more to make online access more equitable and affordable.

Evers said the PSC estimates “there are hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites who, not only don’t have reliable service, but many others who can’t afford the internet available to them.”

“Internet for All” is the theme of a series of statewide listening sessions about internet access that began last week.

PSC chair, Rebecca Valcq, said Monday that it’s important for the state to learn which areas don’t have broadband service that’s easy to obtain.

“We need to know where the infrastructure isn’t, we need to know where the infrastructure is, we need to know what speeds are being provided in order for us to continue to be really good stewards of these federal dollars,” Valcq said.

Valcq added that the state has expert mapping ability, but it relies on communities to let Madison know where internet service is lacking.

Along with the La Crosse event, listening sessions are planned this month in Appleton, Madison and Platteville.