Wisconsin Rapids City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Government
  • Covid 19
  • Community
    • Community Calendar
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
    • Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Business Directory
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Wisconsin Rapids City Times

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Government
  • Covid 19
  • Community
    • Community Calendar
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
    • Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Business Directory
Opinion
Home›Opinion›Testin: Prioritizing Rural Wisconsin

Testin: Prioritizing Rural Wisconsin

By Julie Schooley
February 26, 2017
641
0
Share:
Senator Patrick Testin.(Contributed Photo)

By Senator Patrick Testin

I come from a small town in rural Wisconsin.

I had access to a great education, I was able to work several jobs to help support my education, and I didn’t have to worry about traveling for miles to see a doctor.

RWI Logo

(Contributed Photo)

Growing up in rural Wisconsin provided me with great opportunities, and I knew that I would look for someplace similar to live after I graduated from UW-Stevens Point. That’s why I chose to live in the Town of Hull here in Central Wisconsin. I appreciate the pace, the values, and most importantly, the people. It’s where I plan to raise my family.

I want every child in Wisconsin to have the same opportunities that I did. That’s why I stepped out last week in support of the Rural Wisconsin Initiative. I’ve heard too many stories about students who graduate from a university like UW-Stevens Point, but believe they have to move to Milwaukee, Chicago, or Minneapolis to succeed.

That’s a misconception that we have to work to change. The Rural Wisconsin Initiative is a growing package of legislation that focuses on improving access to health care, technology, education, and workforce opportunities in the rural parts of our state.

It was developed last year by Reps. Ed Brooks (Reedsburg), Romaine Quinn (Rice Lake), and Travis Tranel (Cuba City). It grew to be embraced by twenty-six State Representatives, and four Senate partners – including me.

Senator Patrick Testin. (Contributed Photo)

Senator Patrick Testin. (Contributed Photo)

The package strives to provide equality of opportunity to all Wisconsin residents, whether someone lives in Milladore or Madison, Sparta or Sun Prairie. One of our principle focuses is rural broadband expansion. In the last few weeks, I’ve met with school superintendents, business owners, and health care providers who all spoke about the importance of having reliable rural internet access. Educators use the internet as a teaching tool, and children who go home to a limited connection or no connection are at a serious disadvantage. Businesses use the internet to communicate with customers and vendors, and slow internet hurts their efficiency and their bottom line.

Ambulances need to be able to transmit data quickly and securely as they transport emergency patients to the hospital. I am proud to be a co-author on the broadband opportunity bill that will make a major investment in Wisconsin’s broadband infrastructure.

We aim to put $23 million into broadband expansion, including $7.5 million more to the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) Program – which will directly benefit rural children. We can’t talk about workforce development and the future of the economy, but then fail to provide the tools the next generation of workers will need to thrive.

We must prioritize investment in our rural communities, to keep them strong and to keep our state strong. By connecting the state with broadband infrastructure we can retain our way of life while simultaneously ensuring that the best jobs and opportunities are available to all Wisconsinites– not just those who choose to live in urban centers.

Previous Article

Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce to ...

Next Article

Aspirus Riverview Hospital Named to Top 100 ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Opinion

    Shankland Column: ‘Roll up Your Sleeves and Pass a Budget, GOP’

    July 18, 2017
    By Julie Schooley
  • Opinion

    Be our guest: Memorial Day: A time for thought and remembrance 

    May 23, 2020
    By Julie Schooley
  • letter to the editor
    Opinion

    Letter to the Editor: Reader supports Becker in sheriff race

    November 4, 2018
    By kleonhardt
  • Opinion

    From the Publisher: Home

    February 17, 2020
    By Julie Schooley
  • letter to the editor
    Opinion

    Letters to the Editor: Readers address Rome voters

    March 28, 2019
    By kleonhardt
  • Opinion

    From the Publisher: The art of being

    January 25, 2020
    By Julie Schooley

About Us


Wisconsin Rapids City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 20, 2021

    Riverkings battle for the top spot

  • January 19, 2021

    Marshfield Clinic scheduling COVID vaccinations to those 65 and older

  • January 19, 2021

    Wood County deputy and K-9 partner recognized

  • January 19, 2021

    Redistricting in Wisconsin

  • January 18, 2021

    Portage County releases name in Rudolph area crash

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×