Wis. legislature kills public, educational Wi-Fi, forces UW to return $37M in federal grants
From the Daily Cardinal: The Joint Finance Committee passed a provision in the biennial budget that would dissolve WiscNet, a non-for-profit broadband Internet cooperative that provides broadband to both public and private institutions in Wisconsin.
According to University of Wisconsin (UW) System Spokesperson David Giroux, the language used in the legislation also would require UW-Extension and UW-Madison to return roughly $37 million in federal grant money intended for rural broadband development. In addition, UW-Madison would be forced to withdraw from online research partnerships that are dependent on the program.
As a cooperative, WiscNet member organizations pool their own resources to help subsidize costs for schools, libraries and universities that are struggling financially. Read the entire article here.