WPC+ 25 ZBA!bHP DeskJet 895C Series PrinterXN\  PXP   #A\  PP#Heading 1 = 4#XN\  PXP#  #A\  PP# 2|+gX0(fBody Text ''#XZ2P XP# #A\  P P#Default ParaXN\  PXP(hH  Z6Times New Roman RegularXA\  PP\  `&Times New RomanXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXA\  PP\  `&Times New RomanXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXZ2P XP%2A`ArialXA\  P P\  `&Times New RomanXZ2P XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P XP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2PXP%2A`ArialXXN\  PXP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P!XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P"XP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P#XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P$XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P%XP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P&XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P'XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P(XP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P)XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P*XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P+XP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P,XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P-XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P.XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P/XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P0XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P1XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P2XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P3XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P4XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P5XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P6XP\  `&Times New RomanXXZ2P7XP%2A`ArialXXN\  P8XP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P9XP\  `&Times New RomanXXN\  P:XP(hH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularXXN\  P;XP\  `&Times New RomanX2++3|x  Њ#XZ2PXP#Heading 1 #XN\  PXP# FCC Local State Government Advisory Committee!Heading 1 ! #XZ2PXP# #XN\  PXP# Advisory Recommendation No. 16 Universal Service for Schools and Libraries (erate) #XZ2PXP# Body Text #XZ2P XP##XN\  P XP#At its May 7, 1999 meeting, the Local and State Government Advisory Committee LSGAC considered the status of the Universal Service program for schools and libraries, or the erate, program. This program provides discounts for schools and libraries to gain affordable access to the Internet.!Body Text ! #XZ2P XP##XN\  PXP#Body Text #XZ2PXP##XN\  PXP#!Body Text ! #XN\  PXP#Body Text #XZ2PXP##XN\  PXP#During the 1998/99 funding cycle, the erate provided $1.67 billion in funds to 25,785 schools and libraries. Currently, the FCC has received over 34,000 applications seeking $2.435 billion for the 1999/2000 funding cycle. The Commission is determining how much money should be made available for funding the erate up to the established cap of $2.25 billion.!Body Text ! #XN\  PXP#Body Text #XZ2PXP##XN\  PXP#!Body Text ! #XN\  PXP#Body Text #XZ2PXP##XN\  PXP#Members of the LSGAC see firsthand the results of this program; it is clearly working in their communities. In urban, suburban and rural settings alike, schools and libraries are making good use of erate funds to provide service for students, faculty and the community at large. Like any new federal initiative, this program has experienced startup delays, but it is working. Local and state government entities have partnered with the federal initiative in this effort, devoting staff and training time. Applicants have learned how to access the funds, and while the results at the local level after just the first round are impressive, more remains to be done. The program deserves the full support of the Commission.!Body Text ! #XN\  PXP#Body Text #XZ2PXP##XN\  PXP#!Body Text ! #XN\  PXP#Body Text #XZ2PXP##XN\  PXP#We are concerned that the digital divide in this country is growing. The erate is making a very concrete difference in our communities. It should be supported and expanded.!Body Text ! #XN\  P XP#Body Text #XZ2P!XP##XN\  P"XP#!Body Text ! #XN\  P#XP#Body Text #XZ2P$XP##XN\  P%XP# RECOMMENDATIONS:!Body Text ! #XN\  P&XP#Body Text #XZ2P'XP##XN\  P(XP# !Body Text ! #XN\  P)XP#Body Text #XZ2P*XP##XN\  P+XP# 1. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1   4 <DL! The Federal Communications Commission should fully fund the erate program up to the $2.25 billion cap. !Body Text !  #XN\  P,XP#Body Text #XZ2P-XP##XN\  P.XP#4 <DL!The Federal Communications Commission should explore strategies to assist with the $215 million in funding requests that exceed the current cap. #XZ2P/XP#!Body Text !  #XN\  P0XP#Body Text #XZ2P1XP##XN\  P2XP#4 <DL!The Commission should continue to prioritize funding, with those most in need receiving priority status.#XZ2P3XP#!Body Text ! #XN\  P4XP#Body Text #XZ2P5XP#  !Body Text ! #XN\  P6XP#Body Text #XZ2P7XP##XN\  P8XP#Adopted by the LSGAC this 24th day of May, 1999.!Body Text ! #XN\  P9XP# #XN\  P:XP#___________________________ ` ` ` hhhKenneth S. Fellman, Chairman#XN\  P;XP#