Press Release of Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL).
Re: Introduction of e-rate bill.
Date: May 11, 1999.
Source: Office of Rep. Jerry Weller. This document was created by Tech Law Journal by scanning a paper copy, and converting into HTML.

Congressman Jerry Weller
News Release	www.house.gov/weller/welcome.html
CONTACT: Maggie Lockwood FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	(202) 225-3635  May 11, 1999

Weller Offers Proposal to Save School Internet Access Programs
Eliminates Gore Tax, Eliminates Luxury Phone Tax & Increases Funding For Education!
Over 1,900 Illinois Schools and Libraries Request Federal Assistance in 1999

Washington, D.C... Anxious to save what he considers one of Washington's most important responsibilities to our children's education and future, U.S. Representative Jerry Weller (R-Ill) re-introduced legislation to save federal assistance to local schools and libraries for information technology (mostly Internet) programs while eliminating an constitutionally questionable and unfair phone tax levied by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

"We can not allow Illinois children to be denied access to computers and the Internet because of an ill conceived tax on consumers -- the 'Gore Tax' must be repealed," said Weller. "In 1998, 1,800 schools applied for Internet access federal assistance, but only 1,300 were funded. This year, aside from the Illinois applications from schools and libraries which were not met, the need has grown to over 1900 applications in 1999."

"Currently the FCC's tax to finance this important program is being challenged in court. We need to replace this illegal FCC tax and pass a legal and reasonable funding solution to keep this program working. There is no reason to create or sustain the FCC's new tax," continued Weller. "Our bill will save federal assistance to schools and libraries seeking the wire and fiber to provide Internet access for school kids. In addition our legislation will save phone consumers as much as $19 billion in taxes over the next five years. This legislation is helping to accomplish our goal of upgrading technology in our schools so every Illinois child has access to computers and the Internet! Our bill makes available $1.7 billion in the first year of the program."

Weller and Chairman of the House Telecommunications Subcommittee Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA) offered legislation to save the federal school and library Internet access funding from disaster by repealing the provision which jeopardized the program. This tax was invoked unconstitutionally by the FCC (in July of 1998) unfairly taxes citizens' monthly long distance phone bills up to 3 percent. The Tauzin-Weller legislation enjoys companion legislation in the Senate introduced by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee.

The Schools and Library Internet Access Act, would save the technology assistance program for over 1,800 schools in Illinois alone by slashing the 1914 three percent telephone excise tax (currently sent to the general fund) to 1% and use the remaining revenue to fund the important school and library Internet access programs through block grants to the states. In addition to slashing the current tax, Tauzin-Weller repeals the 3% Gore Tax on long distance customers. The Tauzin-Weller proposal will saves consumers $5 billion to consumers while providing $1.7 billion to equip the nations schools and libraries with Internet access. Tauzin-Weller effectively kills two birds with one stone. First, the legislation preserves and expands funding for the important Internet access assistance program to our schools and libraries. Second, the legislation downsizes a taxing bureaucracy and actually begins to phase out an antiquated 1914 tax which disproportionately impacts the poor and senior citizens.

"The value of the Internet access program is obvious. In my 11th district alone over 100 schools have received Internet access funding from the first round of the funding cycle. In fact, Illinois alone received almost $80 million from this important education program. The bottom line remains the same, if we expect our children to be prepared to compete in the 21st Century, we must provide our students with the tools they need today.

In 1998 the State of Illinois reported over 1,800 schools and libraries in Illinois applied for funding tinder the e-rate making Illinois the third largest participant in the cited nationwide. Nationally, 30,000 schools and libraries applied for the federal Internet access assistance and 26,000 were funded. In 1999, over 32,000 schools and libraries have applied for the funding assistance, but the future of the program remains in the balance until a proper funding mechanism is established.