Latest news on E-Rate

Funded at $2.25 billion annually, the E-Rate program allows rural and low-income school districts and libraries to purchase Internet access and other telecommunications services at discounted rates. In 2004, the Federal Communications Commission ruled that the program was subject to the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA). The program could no longer send out funding commitment decision letters that school districts relied on to plan for their technology services. As a result, thousands of schools and libraries were left uncertain as to whether they could expect E-Rate support for the year and many schools were forced to cut off Internet service to their students. Since then, Congress has passed an exemption each year for E-Rate from ADA in order to ensure that schools continue to receive, without interruption, much needed E-Rate support. The current exemption will expire on Dec. 31. Your help is needed to remind members of Congress that the program faces another shutdown on Jan. 1, 2010, unless Congress renews the program’s temporary exemption or passes legislation (S. 348, H.R.2135) to permanently exempt the program from ADA. Contact your member of Congress now regarding E-Rate by viewing the talking points and selecting the Take Action button.