Wisconsin schools and libraries will get increased broadband access paid for with federal stimulus money under a plan that has been approved by a legislative committee, reports the Wisconsin State Journal. The state Legislature’s budget committee on June 23 unanimously approved spending nearly $23 million in stimulus money to add fiber-optic connections in 82 schools and 385 libraries. The state would be required to come up with matching funds to pay for the expansion. Gov. Jim Doyle says the federal money will ensure that communities can meet the need for additional bandwidth and that citizens have equal internet access “regardless of demographics, geography, or economic status…”