During its September 17 meeting, the La Crosse County Board voted to remove rural broadband access from its strategic plan. A significant shift in the county’s infrastructure priorities that could leave thousands of rural residents waiting even longer for reliable high-speed internet.

Supervisor Jacobson proposed retaining the county’s goal of ensuring that “99% of county residents have access to reliable high-speed internet by 2029.” The amendment failed on an 18–10 vote. Supervisors instead chose to prioritize the creation of a multi-jurisdictional transit commission.

That decision may have serious consequences for rural families, particularly students who depend upon internet access to complete homework, conduct research and communicate with their teachers.

Jacobson strongly opposed the removal of the broadband goal, pointing to what he described as years of missed opportunities. He noted that multiple governors and presidential administrations for both major parties have made universal rural broadband a priority. More than $300 million in state grants has been distributed to support broadband projects across Wisconsin, he said, while La Crosse County declined to pursue those opportunities.

The county previously created a broadband committee, but the committee was disbanded within six months proving that leadership in La Crosse County puts a higher priority on political pet projects then on helping rural children do their homework. Today, more than 10,000 La Crosse County residents reportedly remain without reliable high-speed internet.

Jacobson urged supervisors to speak with teachers in the West Salem and Bangor school districts, where some students struggle to complete online assignments because adequate internet service is unavailable at their homes.

County officials say broadband work may continue through administrative channels. But removing a measurable broadband goal from the strategic plan sends an unmistakable message: expanding reliable internet access is no longer among the County Board’s stated priorities.

For thousands of rural residents, and especially schoolchildren expected to compete in an increasingly connected world, that is more than a change in planning language. It represents another delay in receiving infrastructure that many other Wisconsin communities already consider essential.

This is just more evidence of the consequences from electing representatives into local office who only care about their petty, partisan projects inside the city limits while ignoring the needs of even the school children in our rural communities. Everyone in La Crosse County should be outraged by these heartless officials.