NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2002 NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Maureen Peratino (202) 418-0506
	FCC BUDGET OF $278,092,000 PROPOSED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003
	Washington, DC - The President has submitted a budget to Congress that proposes fiscal year 2003 funding for the Federal Communications Commission of $278,092,000 and a proposed staffing level of 1,975 full-time equivalents (FTEs). This budget represents an increase of $33,021,000 over the FY 2002 appropriation level of $245,071,000. Nearly 25% of the requested FY 2003 increase in the funding level ($8,190,000) will cover mandatory increases for salaries and benefits and other areas and inflationary increases for contract services. In addition, the request includes $9,765,000 in funding to support the President's proposed legislative changes to the methodology for funding retirement costs beginning in FY 2003. The balance of the requested increase ($15,066,000) includes funds to continue expansion of electronic filing, improve technical and economic expertise of staff, address life-cycle replacement of technical monitoring and testing equipment, provide infrastructure improvement to the laboratory facility, enhance the Commission's information technology infrastructure, and enable the Commission to improve its homeland security posture. Funding at this level will create a more efficient, effective and responsive agency. The complete copy of the Commission's FY 2003 budget submission is available on the FCC's web site at: www.fcc.gov. For additional information, please contact John Crews, Chief, Budget Branch at (202) 418- 1965. - FCC -