Mitchell Schmidt

Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) announced plans to use $100 million in federal stimulus funds to provide broadband expansion grants in the state. The grants are in addition to the nearly $200 million in broadband expansion Gov Evers has proposed in his 2021-23 biennial budget, which is now in the hands of the GOP-led budget committee. As governor, Evers has full discretion over the federal funds. He announced earlier plans to spend $200 million in stimulus funds on infrastructure, with a large portion of that going toward expanding broadband access.

While the Federal Communications Commission reports that 90 percent of Iowans have access to advanced broadband, others, including Microsoft, argue that measurement of access is grossly overstated, as only about 30 percent of Iowans actually use broadband.  While a state utilities board rules on natural gas and electricity rate increases proposed by investor-owned companies and local officials are accountable for a customer’s water and wastewater bill, Iowa broadband exists largely in the private sector.