Link: Wisconsin Preserves Low-Cost Broadband for Schools, Libraries–for Now

Hundreds of Wisconsin school and public libraries narrowly avoided paying more for Internet service when state lawmakers reached a budget agreement last week to save WiscNet, a nonprofit cooperative that provides low-cost broadband service.

After public protests and complaints, the State Assembly removed a proposal that would have required the University of Wisconsin System to cut ties with WiscNet, a network the university helped create in 1990. The university would have also had to return $32 million in federal grants to expand broadband access.

Under the new agreement, WiscNet will be allowed to continue to operate for another two years and it will be evaluated by the state Legislative Audit Bureau. The federal grants will remain in place, but the University of Wisconsin Extension would require approval from the state Joint Finance Committee to accept additional funds.

via Wisconsin Preserves Low-Cost Broadband for Schools, Libraries—for Now | School Library Journal