Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access

On July 14^th, 2020, Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #80 (Accessible Version​) creating the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access. The task force will advise the Governor and Wisconsin State Legislature on broadband actions and policy, including strategies for successfully expanding high speed internet access to every residence, business, and institution in the state; initiatives for digital inclusion; and pathways to unlocking and optimizing the benefits of statewide, affordable access to broadband for all communities in Wisconsin.

Leadership & Membership

The task force will be chaired by Brittany Beyer, Executive Director for Grow North Regional Economic Development Corporation, and consists of members who represent a balance of interests, perspectives, and areas of expertise. It will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to research and develop recommendations for actions so that all Wisconsinites can have access to this essential and critical service needed for daily life.

Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access members include: 

• Robert Earl Baker III, Founder, RenderTech​
• Marta Bechtol, Executive Director, Educational Communications Board
• Brittany Beyer (Chair), Executive Director, Grow North Regional Economic Development Corporation
  
• Tom Boron, IT Director, Washburn County
• Salvador L. Carranza, Founder, Latino Education Council of Dane County
• Shannon Clark, CEO & General Manager, Richland Electric Cooperative
  
• Lori Collins, President/CEO, SonicNet Inc.
  
• Emily Dittmar, Legislative Director, Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association
  
• Andrew Faust, Senior GIS Analyst, North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
• Celeste Flynn, Director of Government Affairs, Charter Communications
  
• Chris Her-Xiong, Executive Director/Principal, Hmong American Peace Academy
• Gail Huycke, Community Development Specialist, UW-Extension Center for Community and Economic Development
• Kurt Kiefer, Assistant State Superintendent, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Howard Marklein, State Senator (R-Spring Green)
• Jose Martinez, Vice President, UMOS
  
• Chris Meyer, Director of Virtual Care and Telehealth, Marshfield Clinic Health System
• Beth Meyers, State Representative (D-Bayfield)
• Jeffrey Mursau, State Representative (R-Crivitz)
  
• Brad Pfaff, State Senator (D-La Crosse)
  
• Jean Pauk, Government Affairs Manager, TDS Telecommunications
  
• Theron Rutyna, IT Director, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
  
• Brett Schuppner, General Manager, Reedsburg Utility Commission
• Thomas J. Shaitel, Consultant and Senior Advisor, KS Energy Services LLC
• Scott VanderSanden, President – AT&T Plains States, AT&T
  
• Chad Young, CEO/General Manager, Norvado
  

Annual Broadband Report

The task force will prepare an annual report that will include the current state of broadband in Wisconsin, as well as recommendations for policies and initiatives to overcome challenges to statewide access, affordability and adoption. Staffing support for the task force will be provided by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) State Broadband Office.

Future Task Force Meetings

(All times in Central Standard Time):​
Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.​
Wednesday, May 26th, 2021, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Past Task Force Meetings

Members of the public may access meeting audio via the internet and call-in numbers on this webpage as information becomes available.

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020​  Agenda​​  Recording
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020 – Immediate Solutions Working Group​  Agenda​  Recording
​Friday, October 9th, 2020 – Immediate Solutions Working Group​  Agenda  Recording
​Wednesday, October 28th, 2020  Age​nda  Recordin​g​
Friday, November 13th, 2020 – Immediate Solutions Working Group​  Age​​nda  Recordi​n​g
Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 – Wisconsin Broadband Office Presentation  Age​​​nda  Recordi​​n​g​
​Wednesday, January 6th, 2021  ​Age​​​​nda  Recor​di​​n​g​
​Friday, January 22nd, 2021 - Defining Terms Subgroup​  Age​​​​nda  Recor​di​​n​g​
​Thursday, January 28th, 2021 – Defining Terms Subgroup  Agenda  Recording
​Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 – Subcommittee Meetings  Agenda  Recording (Before/After Individual Subcommittee Meetings) Individual subcommittee recordings available upon request.
​Wednesday, February 24th, 2021  ​Age​​​​nda​  Recor​di​​n​g​
​Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 – Subcommittee Meetings  Ag​enda  Rec​ording​ (Before/After Individual Subcommittee Meetings) Individual subcommittee recordings available upon request.
​Wednesday, March 31st, 2021  Agenda   Recording
​Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 – Subcommittee Meetings  Agenda  Recording (Before/After Individual Subcommittee Meetings) Individual subcommittee recordings available upon request.​​​​​

Public Comment

Members of the public and other interested parties may provide public comment in two forms.  First, a portion of time will be set aside on each full task force meeting agenda for public comment opportunity.  Second, written public comment will be accepted in formal letter form if sent to PSCStateBroadbandOffice@wisconsin.gov with the subject line “Task Force Public Comment”​.

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