State of Wisconsin Archives: on Technology
Alex Lasry:
Ensure access to high speed affordable internet for all
We need the federal and state government to ensure that all Wisconsinites have access to high speed, accessible and affordable internet. Every Wisconsinite should be on an equal footing when it comes to opportunity, and universal broadband access would
help bridge that gap. Our students are Wisconsin's future, and if we don't invest in them, then they won't be able to invest in Wisconsin, which is one of the many reasons why I will fight for equitable broadband access across our state.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate campaign website AlexLasry.com
Nov 16, 2019
Bernie Sanders:
Tax wealth stashed in Caymans to rebuild our infrastructure
Who in America denies that we have an infrastructure that is crumbling? Roads, bridges, water systems, wastewater plants, who denies that? I will do away with the outrageous loopholes that allow profitable multinational corporations to stash billions of
dollars in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda and in a given year pay zero, zero in federal income tax. We will use those proceeds, a hundred billion a year, to invest in rebuilding our infrastructure.
Source: 2016 PBS Democratic debate in Wisconsin
Feb 11, 2016
Bob Harlow:
1 Gb internet in every home, plus 200 mph high speed rail
Create 35,000 jobs through record investment in Wisconsin's infrastructure: My first priority is job-creating infrastructure investments that position Wisconsin to be the economic powerhouse of America's future. By bringing 1 Gb internet to every home,
building 200 mph high speed rail that connects our region, modernizing our highways to be safer and more efficient, and by making Wisconsin 30% renewable by 2030, we will create 35,000 good paying jobs and boost economic growth in Wisconsin for decades.
Source: 2018 Wisconsin Gubernatorial campaign website BobHarlow.net
Mar 15, 2017
Bob Harlow:
Build 200 mile-per-hour high-speed rail network in Wisconsin
Bob Harlow wants to bring a 200 mile-per-hour high-speed rail network to Wisconsin and pledges to undo Act 10, the 2011 law that stripped most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.In 2010,
Walker campaigned on canceling the high-speed rail plans of his predecessor, Democrat Jim Doyle. And, a few weeks after taking office in 2011, Walker proposed a budget repair bill that included the collective bargaining changes.
Source: Fox6-Now on 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial race
Apr 2, 2017
Bob Harlow:
High speed rail will bring down housing costs
Harlow posted on Twitter: "Hard working Americans are struggling to pay rent that goes up year after year.
We need modern high speed rail to bring down housing costs."
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial race
Dec 31, 2017
Jim Doyle:
Bring high-speed rail to Wisconsin
Bob Harlow wants to bring a 200 mile-per-hour high-speed rail network to Wisconsin and pledges to undo Act 10, the 2011 law that stripped most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.In 2010,
Walker campaigned on canceling the high-speed rail plans of his predecessor, Democrat Jim Doyle. And, a few weeks after taking office in 2011, Walker proposed a budget repair bill that included the collective bargaining changes.
Source: Fox6-Now on 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial race
Apr 2, 2017
Jonathan Wichmann:
Big Tech companies should become non-profits
After years of misinformation, security breaches, abhorrent labor practices and election meddling, politicians have decided it's time to regulate tech companies. If tech companies are serious about serving the public good, they should become
non-profits. All the problems afflicting the industry stem from the focus on short-term profits. Removing the profit motive from these companies will rid them of this pressure and give them the freedom to act in accordance with their stated missions.
Source: Medium.com on 2022 Wisconsin Governor race
Jul 31, 2021
Sarah Godlewski:
Critical need for broadband access for rural communities
Godlewski and the Town of Drammen announced the approval of $400,000 in financing for broadband expansion, helping approximately 278 underserved locations across the community. "High-quality internet is critical as Wisconsinites work to
grow their small businesses, access learning resources, and much more. The pandemic has shined a flashlight on the critical need for broadband access that many of our rural communities have been struggling with for years," said Godlewski.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate: GovDelivery.com press release
Apr 19, 2021
Scott Walker:
Spend $810M on roads instead of high-speed rail
Q [to Barrett]: Your opponents question whether there will be much ridership on a controversial high speed rail link between Milwaukee and Madison.BARRETT: We had this type of debate when we started the Hiawatha several years ago, and what we've seen
is an increase in ridership between Chicago and Milwaukee. I think the same thing will occur with the ridership between Milwaukee and Madison.
Q [to Walker]: You've pledged to "stop this train." How?
WALKER: The bottom line is the train is something
we don't want and can't afford, $810 million in a so-called high speed train line between Milwaukee and Madison. The system will provide, by their own numbers, a mere 55 permanent jobs. To me, spending more than $14.5 million per job is not a good use
of the taxpayer's money. We can stop it by stopping the contracts. My next step would be to go to our congressional delegation to change those funds, so we can spend them to fix our crumbling roads and bridges right here in Wisconsin.
Source: 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall debate on 620-WTMJ
Jun 1, 2012
Scott Walker:
Partner with private firms to install fiber network
Our program partners with local investments to install a fiber network. Once completed, a private company provides the service. Without our assistance, rural areas would be deprived of quality internet access because private companies
could not justify the rate of return on investment. Our program helps small businesses, family farmers, tourism attractions, and public schools across the state.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Wisconsin legislature
Jan 19, 2016
Scott Walker:
$35 million to expand broadband access grant program
Access to high speed and reliable internet service is something we heard about at nearly every listening session. Therefore, I am proposing the state invest $35.5 million more to expand our broadband access grant program and for our efforts to help
upgrade technology, and train teachers from small and rural school districts. That would bring our total investment to $52 million.
The great thing about the Broadband Expansion Grant program is that once the high-speed network is in, the rest is up to the local telecommunication provider--there is no need for a permanent government program.I call on the members of the state
legislature to pass our plan as soon as possible to help connect everyone in the state. Good internet and cellular connections are important for a strong economy and quality of life.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Wisconsin Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Scott Walker:
Cancel high-speed rail plans
Bob Harlow wants to bring a 200 mile-per-hour high-speed rail network to Wisconsin and pledges to undo Act 10, the 2011 law that stripped most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.In 2010,
Walker campaigned on canceling the high-speed rail plans of his predecessor, Democrat Jim Doyle. And, a few weeks after taking office in 2011, Walker proposed a budget repair bill that included the collective bargaining changes.
Source: Fox6-Now on 2018 Wisconsin gubernatorial race
Apr 2, 2017
Scott Walker:
Opposes Net Neutrality: principle of Internet is freedom
Q: Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?Tony Evers (D):
Yes. The internet "should be treated like a utility."
Scott Walker (R): No. "The guiding principle should be freedom."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tammy Baldwin:
Internet must not become a two-tiered system
Net Neutrality: Make internet providers provide equal access to all users?Tammy Baldwin (D):
Yes. Internet must not "become a two-tiered system."
Leah Vukmir (R): Unknown.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tammy Baldwin:
Invest in core infrastructure, as federal stimulus
Q: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?Tammy Baldwin (D): Yes. Invest in core infrastructure, paid by closing tax loopholes.
Leah Vukmir (R): No. "Congress is addicted to spending our money."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tom Barrett:
Build high-speed rail from Milwaukee to Madison
Q: Your opponents say there will be additional construction costs and an ongoing cost to taxpayers to operate a controversial high speed rail link between Milwaukee and Madison. Your opponents also question whether there will be much ridership.
BARRETT: We had this type of debate when we started the Hiawatha several years ago, and what we've seen is an increase in ridership between Chicago and Milwaukee. I think the same thing will occur with the ridership between Milwaukee and
Madison, and bear in mind, this is really about Chicago and the Twin Cities, where Wisconsin is the major beneficiary of a high speed rail line. I do believe there will be economic growth, I do think it'll support the ridership, and it's important to
note that Scott Walker [pledged to] stop this train. I think he could stop this train. Do I think there will be cost overruns? No, because I'll make sure there are not, just like I made sure there weren't when we had the rehabilitation of City Hall.
Source: 2012 Wisconsin gubernatorial recall debate on 620-WTMJ
Jun 1, 2012
Tony Evers:
Support Net Neutrality: treat internet like a utility
Q: Net Neutrality: Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?Tony Evers (D):
Yes. The internet "should be treated like a utility."
Scott Walker (R): No. "The guiding principle should be freedom."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tony Evers:
Declares 2021 to be Year of Broadband Access
This pandemic has underscored--and in some ways, exacerbated--the digital divide that exists across our state. This pandemic has shown us that lack of access to high-speed internet continues to be a setback for kids, families, and businesses across our
state. So, I'm excited to declare 2021 the Year of Broadband Access. My 2021-23 biennial budget will invest nearly $200 million over the biennium into broadband--that's five times the amount invested in the 2013, 2015, and 2017 budgets combined.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Tony Evers:
More than $340 million into expanding high-speed internet
We've also gotten back on track preparing our state, our workforce, and our economy for this century. Over the last four years, we've allocated more than $340 million into expanding high-speed internet--more than any administration in state history.
More than 387,000 homes and businesses will have new or improved access to reliable, high-speed internet, and I want to double that number by the end of this term. And together we will.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Phil Anderson:
FISA Reform erodes our fundamental right to privacy
Phil Anderson has issued a fervent plea to the US Congress to reject the proposed FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act. Anderson asserts that the Act poses a significant threat to the privacy and civil liberties of American citizens, undermining the
principles upon which the nation was founded. The legislation, aimed at reforming the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), has raised alarms among privacy advocates who argue that it grants excessive surveillance powers to government agencies
without sufficient checks and balances."The FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act represents a perilous erosion of our fundamental right to privacy," declared Anderson. "This proposed legislation expands the surveillance capabilities of intelligence
agencies without adequate safeguards."
Anderson pointed to the potential abuse of power and the infringement on the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans as reasons for his strong opposition to the Act.
Source: WisPolitics.com press release on 2024 Wisconsin Senate race
Dec 13, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026