MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access, which was announced earlier this week.

Audio file of radio address.

Hi, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

Seemingly overnight, COVID-19 has changed how Wisconsinites live, learn, and work.

Whether it’s working, going to school, or visiting with the doctor, folks have adapted to doing it all from home, which has only underscored that access to reliable high-speed broadband is not a luxury, but a necessity for Wisconsin’s families, students, and businesses.

That’s why this week we announced our Task Force on Broadband Access. This group will work to ensure that Wisconsin’s underserved communities can get the access they need to high-speed internet.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, about 7 percent of Wisconsinites lack access to high-speed internet and we know that burden falls largely on our rural communities. That’s why I am proud that in our last budget we were able to make the largest state investment in broadband to reach more underserved areas of our state.

Our Task Force will look beyond funding to find innovative, creative solutions to the broadband disparities in our state, because now more than ever, a strong state economy depends on access to high-speed internet for our schools, businesses, hospitals, and homes.

Thank you.

Agrees legislative package removes barriers and helps families across the state get needed relief.

Madison - Rep. Staush Gruszynski (D-Green Bay) released the following statement today about the UI benefits reforms package:

“Across our state and our country, people have lost their jobs, and many are still out of work due to COVID-19 as people are encouraged to continue staying safer at home. Many states, including Wisconsin, have seen unemployment programs inundated by millions of claims from individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Green Bay is no different. Even with DWD increasing staffing, adding call centers and streamlining systems, there are still people who are in need of help due to a complex UI system that has only been further complicated by Republican legislation over the last 10 years. Today’s legislative package removes barriers and helps families across the state get needed relief. The legislature needs to act and take these steps to help people in crisis and I fully support these much needed changes.”