>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M ZACH SCHULTZ SITTING IN FOR
FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON HERE AND NOW, OUR
FIRST LOOK SEGMENT, THE LATEST
ON THE BUDGET BATTLE.
AFTER THAT, NEW JOB NUMBERS FROM
OUR PARTNERS AT WISCONSIN.
THEN A CLOSER LOOK AT BROADBAND
EXPANSION IN RURAL WISCONSIN.
HERE'S HERE AND NOW FOR
JUNE 9TH.
>> IN OUR FIRST LOOK STATE
BUDGET TALKS HAVE STALLED
ARGUING OVER MONEY FOR EDUCATION
AND TRANSPORTATION.
MEANWHILE THE GOVERNOR WAS
OUTSIDE MONDAY ALONGSIDE THE
CONSTRUCTION SITE.
THE GOVERNOR PLANS TO VETO THE
BUDGET IF THEY DON'T KEEP TAXES
LOWER THAN 2010.
>> DON'T GIVE UP.
YOU HAVE A BULLY PULPIT.
FOR US, MORE DOLLARS K-12 THAN
EVER BEFORE.
IT'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF SO
PROPERTY TAXES '18 ARE LOWER
THAN 2010 AND LOWER THAN 2014.
>> THIS WEEK ASSEMBLY
REPUBLICANS RELEASED THE
EDUCATION BUDGET PACKAGE.
JOINING US NOW, THE CO-CHAIR OF
THE JOINT FINANCE CABINET.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
THE SENATE REPUBLICANS WERE HE
IS DENT.
HESITANT.
>> THEY ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE
THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SOMETHING
WE SHOULD LOOK AT.
IT'S A SUCCESS TO LOOK AT THE
REVENUE DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BEEN
A PROBLEM SINCE 1993 SINCE
FORMULA WAS ESTABLISHED.
LET'S SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH
MORE REVENUES.
WE HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS IN THE
BUDGET, INVESTMENT IN THE
BUDGET.
IF WE CAN'T DO IT NOW, I'M NOT
SURE WE CAN.
>> WE HAVE SEEN THE GOVERNOR
PROMOTING HIS VERSION OF THE
BUDGET.
IS THAT A GOOD THING TO HAVE
BOTH SIDES OF THESE ELEMENTS OUT
THERE LIKE THIS?
>> I THINK SO.
I HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED BY SENATE
COLLEAGUES FOR DOING THIS.
I WOULD SAY PUTTING THE IDEAS
OUT THERE AND GETTING INPUT ARE
BETTER SOLUTIONS THAN THE TWO OF
US NEGOTIATING OVER WHOSE
POSITION IS BETTER.
LET'S GET INPUT PROSECUTE THE
PUBLIC ASFROM THE BUDGETAS WELL.
>> THEY WOULD SAY, HERE'S WHAT
WE ARE PASSING.
DID YOU LIKE THIS VERSION?
PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET
STALEMATES.
>> FROM A TRANSPARENCY
STANDPOINT, THIS IS BETTER.
THE IRONIC THING, THIS WOULDN'T
BE NECESSARY IF THE CENTER
WOULDN'T HAVE SENT OUT A PRESS
RELEASE FOUR MINUTES BEFORE
SAYING IT WAS ON ARRIVAL.
I THINK THIS NECESSITATED IT.
THIS IS MY THIRD BUDGET THAT I
HAVE SAT ON THE COMMITTEE.
THERE ARE HICCUPS GETTING TOWARD
TO END.
THAT'S GOOD.
ESPECIALLY IN A SITUATION WHERE
ONE PARTY CONTROLS ALL THREE
LEVELS.
THE GOVERNOR, WE SHOULDN'T
RUBBER STAMP THE GOVERNOR BUDGET
OR INPUT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE
TAXPAYERS AND STATE OF
WISCONSIN, THEY WIN.
>> DO YOU NEED EDUCATION BEFORE
TRANSPORTATION, ARE THEY COMING
AT THE SAME TIME?
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY ARE
CONNECTED.
WE NEED TO DEAL WITH EDUCATION
BEFORE DEALING WITH PROPERTY
TAXES AND THE IMPACT ON PROPERTY
TAXES.
I THINK EDUCATION, WE ARE ON THE
RIGHT TIME AND PLACE TO TAKE IT
UP.
>> THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN
INSISTENT ON THE PLEDGE.
IS IT RIGHT TO HOLD UP ON A
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN PROMISE?
>> THAT'S WHAT GETS PEOPLE
ELECTED STANDING UP FOR WHAT
THEY BELIEVE IN.
I'M NOT SURE IT'S A BAD THING.
THE FISCAL DECISIONS RESOLVING
MAKE SENSE.
THE FACT THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY
BUYING DOWN PROPERTY TAXES IN
THE REFTHE REFERENDUMS THAT ARE TAKING
PLACE IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD
DISCUSS PUBLICLY AND GET INPUT
IN.
AS MY HOME GROWS IN VALUE OVER
THE YEAR BETWEEN 2010 AND NOW,
SHOULD TAXPAYERS DRIVE DOWN THE
GROWTH IN VALUE EYE.
THAT'S MORE THAN REASONABLE TO
HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
>> THEY PUT OUT A WAY TO BRING
IN MORE REVENUE.
ARE YOU FOR THOSE OPTIONS?
RAISING TAXES OR THE GAS TAX
ITSELF?
>> IT'S ONE OF THE MORE
CONTENTIOUS ISSUE WE HAVE HAD.
LAST BUDGET THE REPUBLICANS WERE
TRYING TO GET A SOLUTION HERE.
DIDN'T HAPPEN.
THREE BUDGETS LATER, WE BELIEVE
NOW IS THE TIME TO ADDRESS THIS.
WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO RELY ON
BONDING WITHOUT REVENUE RESOURCE
LONG TERM.
>> SPEAKER ROSS AND SENATOR
FITZGERALD TALK ABOUT THE SIZE
OF THE CAUCUS AND FACTIONS
WITHIN THEM.
ARE THEY TOO LARGE FOR THE
ISSUES?
>> FROM OUR STANDPOINT, WE
DISCUSS OUR EDUCATION PACKAGE.
THERE ARE SOME, THIS IS THE TYPE
OF DECISION THAT REQUIRES
STATESMANSHIP, NOT NECESSARILY
POLITICS.
THERE ARE SOME THAT MIGHT FAIR
BETTER UNDER THE GOVERNOR PLAN.
THEY ARE SAYING THIS IS THE
RIGHT THING TO DO TO MAKE OUR
EDUCATION SYSTEM LEVEL AND
COMPARABLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.
WE HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE SENATE.
WE HAVE THEM.
THEY ARE NOT UNANIMOUS, BUT THEY
ARE GOOD DEBATES.
>> DO YOU EXPECT TO MEET IN
JOINT FINANCE THIS WEEK?
>> WE HOPE SO.
TUESDAY WE ARE IN ASSEMBLY.
>> WILL THINGS FALL IN PLACE
ONCE YOU GET BACK TOGETHER?
>> I THINK SO.
THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN
THERE IS DISAGREEMENT.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE COMPROMISE ON
THE ASSEMBLY SIDE, GOVERNOR'S
SIDE.
WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WE
REALIZE.
ONCE WE COME UP WITH THE
AGREEMENTS, THINGS FALL PRETTY
QUICKLY.
>> REPRESENTATIVE, THANK YOU FOR
COMING.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER SCOTT FITZGERALD
BUT HE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
HE PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING
STATE PROPOSAL IS NOT THE
DIRECTION THAT THIS BUDGET IS
HEADED.
WHERE IS IT HEADED?
WILL THE DEMOCRATS IN THE
LEGISLATURE HAVE A PART TO PLAY?
>> FOR THAT, WE TURN TO
REPRESENTATIVE HIPTS WHO JOINS
US FROM OSH KOSH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> DO YOU PREFER THE GOVERNOR'S
PLAN OR ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL?
>> THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT AT
ALL.
FUNDING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS A
PRIORITY.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE SHOULD
MAKE THE INVESTMENT OUR SCHOOLS
NEED AND OTHER THINGS SHOULD BE
SECONDARY IY.
WE ARE GETTING THE LAST MINUTE
PLAN.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T
BE THAT COMPLICATED.
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE 148 LOCAL
SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT RAISED
PROPERTY TAXES TO MAKE UP FOR
SCHOOL CUTS.
I CAN'T SAY I KNOW WHERE IT WILL
END UP, IF WE START WITH
EDUCATION BEING A PRIORITY, IT
SHOULDN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT.
ARE YOU FINDING OUT FROM THE
PRESS RELEASES?
>> I HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON
BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT
OUT EVEN UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S
PROPOSAL, A NUMBER OF SCHOOL
DISTRICTS ARE STILL GOING TO
HAVE TO MAKE BUDGET CUTS.
AS MUCH AS THE GOVERNOR IS
BEATING HIS CHEST ABOUT SCHOOLS,
IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE
SHORTFALLS OF THE CUTS THE LAST
SIX YEARS.
>> WILL THE DIVISION LEAD TO A
BETTER BUDGET OVER ALL?
IS THIS A HEALTHY DEBATE?
>> I THINK THAT DEPENDEN ON
FUNDING SCHOOLS IF THAT'S OUR
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND WHAT WE
HAVE LEFT.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS I WANT TO
MAINTAIN A LEVEE ON A HOUSE FROM
2010.
INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE DOLLARS
IN THE CLASSROOM AND THROUGHOUT
THE STATE.
UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, I'M NOT
SURE.
WE HAVE TO SEE.
THE GOARCH HAS BEEN TRAVELING
THE STATE PROMOTING HIS VERSION
OF THE BUDGET.
THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING THE
SAME.
IS THAT LOCKING BOTH SIDES INTO
THE SECTION?
DO YOU THINK PUBLIC DISCUSSION
CAN ADDRESS IT ONE SIDE OR THE
OTHER?
>> THERE ARE DISTRICTS HAVING TO
GO TO LOCAL PROPERTY TAXPAYERS
TO MAKE UP FOR SHORTFALLS.
THEY ARE ADDRESSING THE FORMULA.
I'M NOT SURE IT HAS ENOUGH TO BE
PASSED.
THIS IS THE FOURTH MAJORITY FOR
GOVERNOR WALKER.
WE HAVE HAD MODEST REVENUE
GROWTH.
THIS SHOULDN'T BE A DIFFICULT
BUDGET, YET WE ARE SEEING THE
MISMANAGEMENT OF THE STATE
BUDGET THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS
PUT THE STATE IN THE POSITION
IT'S IN.
>> THE MOST RECENT JOB NUMBERS
CAME OUT.
ARE THEY HAVING IMPACT ON THE
BUDGET GOING FORWARD?
>> WELL, IT SHOULD.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE SEEP SEEN IS,
AND THAT'S WHAT I MEANT ABOUT
MISMANAGEMENT.
NO MATTER HOW MANY TAX CUTS, WE
HAVE NOT HAD THE RESEARCH
INSTITUTIONS, K-12 EDUCATION,
LONG TERM INVESTMENTS WE KNOW
ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR QUALITY OF
LIFE AND JOBS OF TOMORROW.
THE FACT THAT WISCONSIN
CONTINUES TO LAG, WE HAVE SEEN
WAGES DROP, AND WE HAVE LOST
MANUFACTURING JOBS SHOULD BE A
RED FLAG THAT WHAT WE HAVE DONE
HASN'T BEEN WORKING AND WE NEED
TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS AND
REINVEST IN OUR STATE.
>> REPRESENTATIVES THANK FOR
YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> SPEAKING OF OUR JOB NUMBERS,
OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN
CRUNCHING THE LATEST IN
WISCONSIN.
THEY SHOW JOB GROWTH HAS SLOWED
OVER THE LAST YEAR.
WE HAVE GRAPH GRAPHIC HELP FROM OUR
PARTNERS.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> HOW BAD ARE THE NUMBERS FROM
WISCONSIN?
>> WHAT WE HAVE HERE, WE KNEW
THE NUMBERS FOR WISCONSIN 2016.
WE KNEW IT WAS SLOW IN TERMS OF
HIRING, 11,000 JOBS, WHICH IS
MUCH SLOWER THAN RECENTLY.
WHAT WE FOUND OUT, OTHER STATES
SLOW DOWN TOO.
WISCONSIN WAS 33RD IN THE
NATION, PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH.
IT WAS PAR FOR WISCONSIN.
IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST
SIX YEARS, THE GROWTH OVER THE
ENTIRE SPAN, WISCONSIN HAS BEEN
34TH SINCE GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER
TOOK OFFICE.
THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ALL
THE TIME.
>> THESE ARE THE GOLD STANDARD
NUMBERS, RIGHT?
>> THEY ARE THE CONSENSUS OF
EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES.
IT'S A CENSUS OF EMPLOYERS AND
HARD COULD WANT OF EMPLOYMENT
DATA OF 96%.
THEY ARE GOOD AS IT GETS WHEN IT
COMES TO MEASURING JOB GROWTH.
THEY GIVE YOU A GOOD SNAPSHOT OF
WHERE THINGS STAND.
>> WE HAVE A CHART SHA SHOWS
WHERE WE ARE.
MINNESOTA'S CATCHING UP?
>> WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAN
MINNESOTA, 250,000 OR SO PEOPLE
LIVE IN WISCONSIN THAN
MINNESOTA.
AS YOU SEE IN THE NUMBERS,
MINNESOTA IS READY TO PASS US IN
PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH.
THEY ARE GROWING FASTER THAN
WISCONSIN, DEFINITELY.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
REGIONALLY, THAT'S WHERE THEY
HAVE BEEN, BEHIND A COUPLE BY
SIGNIFICANT MARGINS?
>> IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE
REGION, WISCONSIN WAS 34TH OVER
THE SIX YEAR SPAN.
IT'S BEHIND STATES LIKE
MINNESOTA, MICHIGAN, TOWARD THE
BOTTOM OF THE PACK THERE.
>> WITH THIS REFLECTING A
NATIONAL TURN, EVERYONE IS DOWN
THE SAME RATE OR IS WISCONSIN
LAGGING BEHIND THE NATION.
>> IF YOU LOOK AT 2015, WE ARE
33 BOTH YEARS.
IT IS REFLECTIVE OF A NATIONAL
TREND THAT WAY.
IT'S THE CASE THAT OTHER MID
WESTERN STATES ARE GROWING
FASTER THAN US, 1.3% GROWTH.
WHILE EVERYBODY IS SLOWING DOWN,
WHAT THAT MEANS IS, WE ARE STILL
LAGGING BEHIND.
IF YOU GO TO OTHER ISSUES LIKE
MANUFACTURING, THAT TREND
CONTINUES
>> .
CONTINUES.
>> GOVERNOR WALKER AND THE
REPUBLICAN HAVE PUT TAX CREDITS
IN SAYING THIS IS THE HEART OF
WISCONSIN, MANUFACTURING, AND WE
ARE STILL LOSING JOBS.
>> WE HAVE LOST JOBS THE FIRST
YEAR THE TAX CREDIT WAS IN
PLACE.
THE STATE LOST MANUFACTURING
JOBS SO THAT'S A BAD YEAR FOR
WISCONSIN.
IT'S ONE OF 28 STATES IN 2016.
NOT ALONE, BUT IT SHOWS THE
LIMITED TAX POWER OF THE TAX
CREDIT.
>> GOVERNOR WALKER IS TALKING
ABOUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
SINCE 2016.
HOW CAN WE HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT AND
LOW JOB GROWTH.
ARE THOSE OPPOSED OR APPLES AND
ORANGES?
>> THEY ARE DOING DIFFERENT
THINGS.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT THING, YOUR
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, PEOPLE
THAT ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR A
JOB BUT DON'T HAVE IT.
>> THERE IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE
OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR A
JOB BUT DON'T HAVE IT.
>> IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT JOB
GROWTH, GROWING THE PEOPLE THAT
HAVE JOBS AND GROWING THE
ECONOMY, THAT'S WHERE WISCONSIN
LAGS.
WE HAVE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
THE ECONOMY IS NOT EXPANDING
LIKE OTHER STATES.
>> SO GOVERNOR WALKER PLEDGED TO
GROW 250,000 JOBS.
HE'S NOWHERE CLOSE TO THAT FIRST
TERM.
DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE SECOND
TERM?
>> HE FELL WELL SHORT FIRST TERM
AND IT WAS AN EXPLICIT PROMISE.
AFTER 2016, WE ARE HALF WAY
THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S SECOND
TERM, 70,000 JOBS SHORT.
IF THE STATE PICKS UP HIRING AND
ADDS JOBS THE WAY IT DID EARLIER
IN THE GOVERNOR'S TERM, MAYBE
THE PLEDGE IS REACHABLE IN TERM
TWO.
IF IT CONTINUES ON THE TREND
2016, NO WAY.
>> JOHN JOHNSON, THANKS FOR YOUR
TIME.
>> NOW FOR THE CHALLENGE OF
GETTING STRONG RELIABLE INTERNET
THE STATE.
GOOD BROADBAND IS MORE THAN
ENTERTAINMENT.
IT'S A WAY OF LIFE, ALLOWING
PEOPLE TO WORK FROM HOME.
>> ANDY HAS THIS REPORT FROM
WESTERN WISCONSIN.
>> THIS IS JANA FROM WESTERN
INTERIORS.
>> JANICE CLINTON HAS A SHORT
COMMUTE.
IT'S DOWN THE BASEMENT STAIRS.
FROM HER HOME SHE'S IN CONSTANT
TOUCH WITH HER COLLEAGUES
WORKING IN THE MADISON AREA.
WORK COORDINATED REMOTELY.
>> WE PRIMARILY DO WINDOW
COVERING, COMMERCIAL OR
RESIDENTIAL.
SOME OF THE PLANS, I'M ABLE TO
GET OFFLINE AND DO ONLINE
SERVICES THROUGH THE QUOTING OR
BIDDING OUT OF PRODUCTS TO
CUSTOMERS.
I MIGHT JUST NEED TO SEND YOU
DOWN THE WORK ORDER.
>> THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE
WITHOUT THE INTERNET.
A STABLE BROADBAND LINK THAT
KEEPS HER CONNECTED.
>> THEY MOVED TO SO HER HUSBAND
COULD TAKE A JOB AS SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT.
>> THE AREA IS BEAUTIFUL.
THE CHILDREN HAVE A LOT OF
OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH A SMALL
TOWN.
>> THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE OF
THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY MAKES
WIRING FOR THE INTERNET A
CHALLENGE, SOMETHING THE
CLINTONS DIDN'T CONSIDER AT THE
TIME THEY MOVE.
>> AT THE TIME WE MOVED, THOSE
HOUSES THAT HAD INTERNET
CONNECTION AND WHICH DIDN'T
WASN'T A CRITERIA IN BUYING A
HOUSE, AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
THERE WERE A FEW INTO THE BLUFF.
>> A LOOK AT THE STATE'S
BROADBAND IS MAPPED BY THE
SERVICE COMMISSION, REVEALS
DIGITAL HAVES AND HAVE NOTS.
THE POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT THE
WORKFORCE IN THE RURAL AREA IS
GREAT.
>> BROADBAND IS ONE OF THE
GREATEST TOOLS WE HAVE TO HELP
RURAL PEOPLE STAY IN THE RURAL
COMMUNITIES AND BE ENGAGED.
>> RICKY ROSS MEYER HEADS
WISCONSIN RURAL PARTNERS.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT
TO THE RURAL COMMUNITY.
IT'S A CENTRAL FOR ALMOST
ANYTHING AND ANY KIND OF
EMPLOYMENT, AND TRULY ESSENTIAL
FOR KEEPING RURAL PEOPLE RURAL.
>> THE COCHRAN CO-OP COMPANY
KEEPS THE SWITCHBOARD FROM ITS
EARLY FOUNDING DAYS.
>> WE ARE THE OLDEST IN THE
STATE.
IN 1905, THE COOPERATIVE WAS
FORMED.
IT WAS FARMER'S TELEPHONE.
>> THE NAME STAYS THE SAME.
SERVING FARMERS REMAIN IT IS
CORE MISSION.
>> A TECHNICIAN SERVICES THE
HAIR THIN FIBEROPTIC CABLE.
>> FIBER TO THE FARM PROVIDES
THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE AS
AVAILABLE IN TOWN.
IT COMES WITH A SUBSTANTIAL
PRICE TAG.
>> THE RULE AREA IS HARD TO GO
TO THE ONE CUSTOMER WITH A MILE,
MILE AND A HALF DRIVEWAY.
FEDERAL GRANTS AND LOANS HELP.
WE TOOK OUT A LOAN WITH THE
RURAL UTILITY SERVICES TO ALLOW
US TO INVEST IN A FIBER NETWORK.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR
CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF
SERVICE AS THEY HAVE IN THE
BIGGER CITIES.
>> ADVOCATES IN RURAL EDUCATION
AND UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE.
>> HOPEFULLY THAT WILL GET
BROADBAND TO ALL OR AMERICA.
>> IT'S A SERVICE ESSENTIAL TO
JANICE AND HER FAMILY TO LIVE
THE KIND OF LIFE THEY WERE
SEARCHING FOR WHEN THEY MOVED TO
PEPIN.
>> WE WANT ADD SMALLER
ATMOSPHERE.
>> THE FLEXIBILITY OF WORKING AT
HOMELESS IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF
LIFE.
>> I CAN BE AN AT HOME MOM AND
FILL MY WORK REQUIREMENTS.
>> JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT IT
IS DON, FOUNDER OF THE BROADBAND
COALITION.
THANKS FOR YOUR SEIM TODAY.
YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> GLAD TO BE HERE.
>> BROADBAND IS COMPARED AS
FIBER ELECTRIFICATION.
DO WE NEED FIBER TO REACH EVERY
HOME IN?
WE DO NOT.
SOME OF IT'S GOING TO BE FIBER
FOR SURE.
POINT TO PINT WIRELESS HAS
GAINED IN TECHNICAL CAPABILITY.
IS THERE GLASS TO THE TOWER AND
HOMES?
>> CHUTELY. ABSOLUTELY.
>> THERE IS A PROPOSAL TO EXPAND
BROADBAND.
IS IT ENOUGH AND HOW DOES IT
WORK?
>> $500,000 A YEAR AND NOW
$30,000$300,000 A YEAR, IT TOOK A WHILE
TO GET IT.
WITH THAT KIND OF FUNDING FOR
THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS, WE
SHOULD DO A GOOD JOB MAKING
BROADBAND ACCESSIBLE IN
WISCONSIN AND RURAL.
>> IS IT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
ONE CITY GROWING AND ONE REGION
FALLING BEHIND?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THERE CAN'T BE TWO WISCONSINS,
ONE WITH THE ADVANTAGING ADVANTAGES OF THE
21ST CENTURY.
IF YOU HAVE BROADBAND, THE
FUTURE IS YOURS TO CONTROL.
IT'S UP TO YOU TO DO THAT WITH
OTHER THINGS.
>> THERE IS A LOT OF BRAIN DRAIN
WITH YOUNG PEOPLE GOING AWAY FOR
COLLEGE.
IS BROADBAND THE TYPE OF THING
THAT CAN BRING THEM BACK?
>> IT SURE IS.
IF THEY GO TO TECHNICAL COLLEGE
OR FOUR YEAR SCHOOL THEY CAN
WORK FROM HOME IF THEY START A
BUSINESS OR WORK FROM HOME FOR
THEIR EMPLOYER.
THE KIDS WILL BE MORE ENCOURAGED
TO WANT TO STAY CLOSER TO HOME
AND PURSUE CAREERS IN WISCONSIN.
FROM SPATTERS PARTS OF THE STATE, IS
RHINE LANDER THE BIG CITY?
HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT?
>> WASA HAS 50,000.
RY LANDER HAS 40,000.
MY HOMETOWN 2,000.
FLORENCE COUNTY, 2,000.
WHAT IS RURAL?
HOW SMALL CAN WE GET WHEN WE
DEFINE RURAL?
UNDER 50,000 AND UNDER, YOU GET
TO RURAL AND THEN THERE'S VERY
RULE.
RURAL.
>> HOW DOES WISCONSIN COMPARE TO
OTHER STATES COMPETITIVELY?
>> WE ARE CATCHING UP.
TEN YEARS AGO WE WERE WAY
BEHIND.
WE WERE PUTTING IN $100 MILLION
A YEAR.
WE ARE CATCHING UP FAST.
WE ARE ABLE TO COMPETE
EFFECTIVELY WITH MINNESOTA, AND
THE OTHER GREAT LAKE STATES.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
TODAY.
>> PLEASURE.
THANK YOU.
NOW FOR MORE NEWS OF
THE WEEK.
WEDNESDAY THE WALKER
ADMINISTRATION ADDED A DRUG TEST
FOR THOSE THAT APPLY FOR
MEDICAID.
WALKER SAID THE PROGRAM WOULD
RESULT IN DRUG ADDICTS GETTING
TREATMENT AND BECOMING MORE
EMPLOYABLE.
CRITICS SAY IT WOULD BE ANOTHER
HURDLE THAT POOR PEOPLE HAVE TO
OVERCOME TO GET THE CARE THEY
NEED.
IF APPROVED, WISCONSIN WOULD BE
THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO DRUG
TEST APPLICANTS.
>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEEK.
I'M ZACH SCHULTZ, HAVE A GREAT
WEEKEND.
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