Forcing UW off WiscNet Internet service will cost taxpayers and students/parents $13 million more. Thank Rep. Robin Vos.

The UW Madison is about to have the last laugh, albeit at greater expense, over their new custom built internet system.

What lawmakers like Rep. Robin Vos didn't count on when they banned the UW from using a very inexpensive non-profit high speed internet provider, was the UW constructing its own network, forgoing the very costly "free market" system corporate lobbyists cried and whined about. Big internet monopolies were expecting the job to be handed to them on a silver platter. Here's what a very arrogant Rep. Vos said:

Speaker Vos Statement on UW Severing Ties with WiscNet: “The UW System is making the right decision regarding its relationship with WiscNet. A free market based system will be a win for students, taxpayers and private enterprise in Wisconsin. The legislature will work with the university to facilitate their transition.” 

The problem is, Republican legislators just cost taxpayers and parents/students who pay tuition, much more. It'll cost $13 million more over five years than if the UW had just stayed with WiscNet. Yeah, Republicans are always looking out for the taxpayers. Scratch that talking point:

WKOW News:

WSJ: WiscNet provided Internet services for the UW System’s 26 campuses, 75 percent of state public school districts and 90 percent of the public library systems for a fraction of the price of competitors.

The state-of-the-art new network is expected to cost approximately $33 million for creation, management and maintenance over the next five years, $13 million more than the projected cost of staying with WiscNet for the same period of time.

David Giroux, UW System spokesman, said “We have been doing business as a member of WiscNet for 23 years, that’s obviously not allowed anymore. ... There was no other vendor able to meet our needs.” 

It may also cost the state and local communities much more if Wiscnet collapses due customer loss:

By the end of the calendar year WiscNet will no longer employ UW staff. Public schools and libraries will decide if they want to remain with WiscNet.

Would Republicans really soak taxpayers for over twice the price for Broadband Service to Schools and Libraries??? Yes if it benefits the Telecom Industry!

Let's be honest, "We're looking out for the taxpayer" is an overdone, meaningless robotic response made by Republicans. In fact, the next time they say it, hold onto your wallet and run the other way.

And keep asking the question: Would you care if the private sector is put at a disadvantage competing against the government, if as a taxpayer, your costs are cut by over half?

If you answered yes, than saving lots of money is not as important as your belief system, or “princibles,” as Rep. John Boehner would say.

We’re talking about a requirement in Walker’s first budget that forced the UW to drop broadband provider WiscNet, who also serves schools, cities and libraries across the state at an amazingly low price.

Leader-Telegram: John LeBrun, technology director for the city of Eau Claire, said WiscNet has allowed local institutions such as the city and UW-Eau Claire to share important data and work together.

Republican lawmakers who pushed for the provision contended the partnership placed private telecommunications providers at an unfair disadvantage.

Keep asking the question: Would you care if the private sector is put at a disadvantage competing against the government, if as a taxpayer, your costs are cut by over half?

Just the facts:

Democrats said WiscNet has saved taxpayers a lot of money … A 2012 report by the Legislative Audit Bureau found the cooperative's members paid on average $500 a month for Internet services while a private provider would have charged nearly $1,200 for the same services.

I’m also hoping Republican politicians are uber-conservatives, who don’t have as much in common as their reliable voting base, because we need their help in kicking these guys out of office. 

Bowing to Republican Attacks, UW Drops WiscNet, “Potentially leaving 70% of school districts or libraries without an internet provider.”-Sup. Tony Evers. Privatization-Higher Prices here we come…

This bomb just dropped; The UW Regents, without talking to the State Superintendent, dropped internet service for the UW which may effect a majority of school districts and libraries. They now have to contract with the private sector who once didn't give a damn about providing affordable service. And my guess is, they still won’t. School districts can’t afford this one, all thanks to Republicans who won’t be happy until they can privatize the entire UW system and get it off the books.

WSJ (no link yet): Republicans included a provision in the 2011-12 budget that requires the UW to disengage with WiscNet by July 1, 2013...Walker plans to sign (a new provision) Sunday (in the 2013-2014 budget that) would give the System another six months.

As you can see, if government can do something cheaper, to save taxpayers money, Republicans are against it. Big business needs government handouts in the form of Republican laws that cost taxpayers more to pad their donors bottom lines. Here’s Tony Evers reaction:

State Superintendent and University of Wisconsin System Regent Tony Evers issued the

following statement regarding a last minute decision by the University of Wisconsin Madison to break up a long-standing partnership for network services. “I am astounded and disappointed that without any consultation with representatives of public schools or libraries, including me – a Regent, the University of Wisconsin has potentially left 70% of school districts and 95% of public libraries in Wisconsin without an internet access provider. Now, hundreds of school districts and public libraries are facing the loss of internet access, and, in an era of reduced budgets, an unknown added cost that could run into the millions. To make matters worse, they are left trying to get all this sorted out before the start of school. Is this some new version of the Wisconsin Idea?”

The UW had their weak kneed reasons:

At the direction of the Chancellor….the following is the University’s response to AT&T’s letter of June 6, 2013, protesting the University’s award of a contract for Network Services to WiscNet.

WiscNet’s intitial equipment cost was 85% less than AT&T; AT&T was significantly higher that both WiscNet and CenturyLink for its (system). WiscNet provided far more detail in its response than AT&T.

The UW had no reason to withdraw their contract with WiscNet, but did for these reasons:

Business and political considerations, including the potential for ongoing appeals, litigation and legislative changes, have created uncertainty to our campus operations…such uncertainty is not compatible … begin transitioning to the operation of our network.

WiscNet had this response:

In our last update ... yesterday we learned the University of Wisconsin System Administration and Board of Regents have asked UW-Madison to withdraw this award to WiscNet, citing “business and political considerations” and their need to “absolutely ensure that (the UW) can accomplish (their) educational and research missions without interruption”. Isn’t it a sad day when political pressures from telephone company lobbyists keep us from working together?  It’s frustrating, yet fascinating.  Seriously.

A costly to taxpayer decision is just another victory for Republicans, who aren't shy about the privatization win:

Speaker Vos Statement on UW Severing Ties with WiscNet: “The UW System is making the right decision regarding its relationship with WiscNet. A free market based system will be a win for students, taxpayers and private enterprise in Wisconsin. The legislature will work with the university to facilitate their transition.”

REP. KNUDSON APPLAUDS UW-MADISON DECISION “I am hopeful that this signals a new, more open and transparent approach to the issue by the UW System and the Board of Regents. We look forward to constructing a system that meets the needs of our neighborhood schools and libraries.”

 Because the current less expensive system was so bad?