Wisconsin GOP leaders agree on basics of budget bill - Jason Stein, Journal Sentinal

The budget bill would require the University of Wisconsin to return nearly $40 million in federal funds - money intended to pay for community networks and improve broadband service for public entities. UW officials say the proposal also would prevent research universities in the state from participating in a high-speed system that connects them with research universities nationwide. But a trade group representing the telecommunications companies says the proposal is meant only to protect them from having to compete against a government-subsidized broadband network that would be expanded using federal stimulus grants. Vos said that GOP lawmakers would "definitely take a look at that" provision but that he didn't believe it would change.