URGENT CALL TO ACTION ON UNIVERSAL SERVICE (fwd)

[Mike Eisenberg <mike@ERICIR.SYR.EDU>]

URGENT REQUEST FOR ACTION

August 26, 1996

To: Members of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)
Fr: Keith Krueger, CoSN Executive Director

Re:  Affordable Telecommunications Access for Schools & Libraries



K-12 School networking advocates are being asked to intensify  grassroots
efforts in support of discounted telecommunications rates for schools and
libraries as part of the rulemaking being conducted at this time by the
Federal Communications Commission and the Federal-State Joint Board.  The
next few weeks are extremely critical to make the case for an equity rate as
part of the FCC's universal service proceedings.  Between now and early
October the Joint Board will be finalizing its recommendations and making
recommendations to the full FCC before November 8.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!


BACKGROUND:
The Federal-State Joint Board on universal service was established as part
of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 passed by Congress earlier this year.
The Joint Board is comprised of four state utilities commissioners, a
consumer utility advocate and three FCC commissioners.  It will make
recommendations in early November to the full FCC.  The FCC must make a
final decision by May of 1997.  These rules will determine how to make
telecommunications rates "affordable", the degree of discount, and how
intrusive (or not) the administration of an equity rate will be for
libraries, schools and rural health care institutions.


ACTION:
CoSN and other education and library organizations are trying to identify
persons that are willing to undertake grassroots efforts in your state on
this issue.

THINGS YOU CAN DO IMMEDIATELY:
     1. Write to the Federal Communications Commission. For names and
addresses, visit the American Library Association web site:
        http://www.ala.org/oitp/uniserv.html

     2. Write other members of the FCC-State Joint Board. (see addresses at
end of this message)

     3. Contact your state public utility commission and let them know that
you support affordable telecommunications rates for libraries and tell them
about the importance of telecommunications services for library services -
both now and in the future.

     4. Inform your congressional representatives about your support for
this affordable or equity rate provision; ask them to express their support
of these policies to the FCC as regulatory proceedings move forward.

     5. Contact and utilize local media; consider placement of op-ed pieces,
letters to the editor, and special articles on"telecommunications and
libraries, etc."

     6.  Organize local events, perhaps in conjunction with local libraries
and other allies and supporters of an equity rate



Keith Krueger, CAE
Consortium for School Networking


ATTACHMENTS

 SAMPLE LETTER TO FCC, JOINT BOARD MEMBERS, PUC'S AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES

NOTE:  It is recommended that your letters be sent no later than
mid-September to have maximum impact.  We suggest you adapt this draft
letter to include specifics related to your own school situation. For more
information visit the CoSN web site:
               http//www.cosn.org


Dear_________:

RE: CC Docket 96-45, Universal Service

I am writing in strong support of meaningful discounts for schools and libraries
as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal-State Joint Board
implement the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of
1996.  In passing this landmark legislation, it is clear that Congress meant to
ensure that carriers provide services to schools and libraries at
significant discounted rates that are less than the amounts charged for
similar services to other parties.

I encourage you to assure universal service for all Americans by providing
discounted and equitable telecommunications rates for libraries and schools.


FINAL PARAGRAPH FOR LETTERS TO U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Please convey these recommendations to the FCC and the Federal-State Joint
Board, and send me a copy of your letter on my behalf.  Thank you for your
attention to this matter of considerable importance to the schools,
libraries and users in your (district) (state).
_



FCC Joint Board Members

State Public Utility Commissioners:

Julia Johnson, Commissioner
Florida Public Service Commission
Capital Circle Office Center
2540 Shumard Oak Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850

Kenneth McClure, Vice Chairman
Missouri Public Service Commission
302 W. High Street, Suite 530
Jefferson, MO  65102

Sharon Nelson, Chair
Washington Utilities and Transportaion Commission
P O Box 47250
Olympia, WA  98504-7250

Laska Scheonfelder, Commissioner
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
500 E. Capital Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

Consumer Advocate Representative:

Martha Hogerty
Public Counsel for the State of Missouri
P O Box 7800
Harry S. Truman Building, Room 250
Jefferson, City, MO 65102