PUBLIC NOTICE
	Federal Communications Commission 1919 - M Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
	DA 97-1645
	COMMISSION SEEKS COMMENT ON "JOINT EMERGENCY PETITION FOR PARTIAL STAY OF THE RURAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES" FILED JOINTLY BY 131 RURAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES CC Docket No. 96-45 Released: July 31, 1997
	On July 17, 1997, 131 entities describing themselves as rural telephone companies filed a joint petition for partial stay of the Commission's Report and Order (FCC 97-157, rel. May 8, 1997) in the matter of the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, CC Docket No. 96-45 (the "Order"). The petitioners request a stay of those portions of the order that (1) conclude that the DEM weighting program constitutes universal service support that should be funded through universal service support mechanisms rather than access charges; (2) make universal service support, including support received through dial equipment (DEM) weighting, portable; and (3) cap the amount of corporate operations expense that rural telephone companies may recover through the high cost loop fund. Petitioners request that the Commission stay these portions of the Order pending action on their concurrently filed petition for reconsideration of these conclusions. Interested parties may file comments in support of or in opposition to this petition on or before August 7, 1997. All filings should refer to the pleading as: "Rural Telephone Companies' Joint Emergency Motion for Partial Stay, CC Docket No. 96-45." One original and five copies of all comments must be sent to William F. Caton, Acting Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Two copies also should be sent to Sheryl Todd, Universal Service Branch, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau, 2100 M Street, N.W., 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20554. In addition, two copies should be sent to Office of General Counsel, Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room 614, Washington, D.C. 20554. Copies of documents filed with the Commission, including the petition, may be obtained from the International Transcription Service, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037, (202) 857- 3800. Documents are also available for review and copying at the FCC Reference Center, Room 239, 1919 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For further information, contact Sheryl Todd, Universal Service Branch, Accounting and Audits Division, Common Carrier Bureau at (202) 418-7400. - FCC -