Joint Finance Committee Delays Taking Action on Broadband, Will Vote on DPI Budget May 27

 The Joint Finance Committee was in session today to act on portions of the proposed 2021-23 state budget. They had planned to vote on the broadband provisions in the Public Service Commission budget, but delayed taking action on those items.

Committee Co-Chairs Senator Markelin and Representative Born said that they chose to delay voting on the broadband items after the Governor's announcement that he plans to use $100 million in federal stimulus funds to support broadband expansion.

"The Governor has stated that the details of [the $100 million] will be available on June 1, so we believe it's prudent to wait until after that to take up the Public Service Commission and to act on the broadband expansion," said Senator Marklein. "Obviously it's an important topic to me and an important topic to many members of our caucus."

The Committee will be in session again on May 27 to vote on the Department of Public Instruction budget.