Journal-Sentinel Editorial: "Decision to reject $23 million in federal help for broadband expansion is a mistake"

Let's reaffirm this message.

WiscNet Wire

Keep the cash.  (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 2/18/2011)

Excerpt:   Broadband is an economic development tool, just as are roads and airports and rail (Oh, wait, the state gave back that money, too).   High-speed Internet is part of the necessary infrastructure that is vital to communities that want to grow.

School and library associations said they were disappointed in the decision since many rural communities, especially, lack fast broadband connections.  (Emphasis added.)

Attention Wisconsin library advocates.

1. Share this editorial with your local, county, state, and federal elected officials.  (At this point in time, it's probably best to use snail mail to reach state legislators.  The immediate emphasis should be to build a local and county network of support, i.e.,  item 3.)

2. Include a note that briefly tells your library's broadband story.  (Nearly 66% of public libraries report that they have insufficient bandwidth.    Provide clear examples of how this impacts on your library service area.   How does this impact the delivery of services at your library.   What are the disadvantages your legislators' constituents face?)

3. Work with your local and county officials to help our state political leaders understand that high-speed Internet access for all is a critically important issue.   (As the J-S editorial says, The state will get there anyway, but this money could have speeded up the journey.  Let's get the momentum going again.)