MADISON, Wis. – Today, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and WisDems Vice Chair and Milwaukee County Supervisor Felesia Martin celebrated President Biden, Governor Evers, and Wisconsin Democrats’ investments in ensuring equitable access to reliable and affordable internet. Democrats are delivering on their promises to expand high-speed internet for Milwaukee families – despite Ron Johnson putting his self-serving agenda ahead of Wisconsinites.

Black families are 9% less likely to have high-speed internet when compared to their white counterparts, but President Biden, Gov. Evers, and Democrats in Congress are working to close the digital divide and help Black Wisconsinites succeed by bringing affordable broadband to every household and business. Gov. Evers has allocated nearly $100 million in ARP grants to expand internet access – funding 83 projects. Gov. Evers’ investments mean nearly 300,000 homes and businesses will be connected to high-speed internet.

President Biden’s infrastructure law will dedicate an additional $100 million in federal funds to expand affordable high-speed internet across the state.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke about how Senator Johnson’s partisan opposition to critical legislation is a barrier to Milwaukee families. Watch key moments here:

  • “If Senator Johnson spent any time here in our community, he would know the technology and digital divide is one of the biggest hurdles facing our community – especially in a place like Milwaukee and rural parts of our state. He would know that during the heart of the pandemic, which he has prolonged, we needed assistance just like our fellow Wisconsinites across the state.”
  • “When he had the opportunity to invest in us – not just to bridge the digital divide but to update our roads, our bridges, our pipes, Johnson was a no. Ron Johnson will only support legislation if it passes his partisan litmus test, and that’s not how voters across the political spectrum expect for us to act in office.”

Milwaukee County Supervisor Felesia Martin discussed how Democratic policies are grounded in equity. See key excerpts below:

  • “Funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which passed without the vote of a single Republican in Congress, Gov. Evers has provided millions in grants to expand access to high-speed internet in rural and urban communities across the state… President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will dedicate an additional $100 million in federal funds to expand internet across the state. The infrastructure law will also enable 1,246,000 Wisconsinites –  22% of people in the state – to qualify for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.”
  • “Senator Johnson has refused to take action to fix the digital divide, lower child care costs, and bring good-paying jobs to the state. His self-serving political games are doing nothing for us back here at home.”
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