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Thought this might interest some. Will it be/is it fodder for new chain mail?
Maybe.
Norene
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To: Cashenn
From: chapeditor@ala.org
Date: 16 Mar 99 14:09:14 -0500
Subject: Fwd: ALAWON v8, n25 - INTERNET TAXES RUMOR; EVEN S
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From: "ALAWASH E-MAIL (ALAWASH E-MAIL)" <ALAWASH@alawash.org>
To: ALA Washington Office Newsline <ala-wo@ala1.ala.org>
Subject: ALAWON v8, n25 - INTERNET TAXES RUMOR; EVEN START
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X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.2.08 -- ListProc(tm) by CREN
ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline
Volume 8, Number 25
March 15, 1999
In this issue:
[1] FCC, Congressional Members Correct Erroneous Reporting of
Internet Taxes or Fees
[2] Monday, March 22 Free E-Rate Videoconference Announced
[3] Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative Grants
[1] FCC, Congressional Members Correct Erroneous Reporting of
Internet Taxes or Fees
The ALA Washington Office has received a number of inquiries regarding rumored bills or regulations that would impose a tax or per minute charge on Internet connections. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and congressional sources, these rumors are false.
The February 1999 FCC fact sheet, "No Consumer Per-Minute Charges to Access ISPs" states that, "The bottom line is that the FCC has no intention of assessing per-minute charges on Internet traffic or changing the way consumers obtain and pay for access to the Internet." The fact sheet is available at www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Factsheets/nominute.html.
The fact sheet attributes the source of these rumors to the FCC's recent consideration of issues relating to certain carrier-to- carrier payments. In a statement to the press concerning the FCC's order on these payments, Chairman Kennard said, "This decision only affects the way phone companies pay each other for traffic that is passed over phone lines before even reaching the Internet. We are not regulating the Internet and we will not do so as long as I am chairman."
On February 11 Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) stated from the floor of the House, "Neither I, nor the Republican Congress, have any intention of increasing charges or taxes on the Internet." Shimkus was a cosponsor of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (P.L. 105-277) and is member of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection. In fact, S. 328, a bill introduced in January, would extend the three year moratorium provided for in the Internet Tax Freedom Act preventing state and local governments from imposing taxes on Internet access or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.
[2] Monday, March 22 Free E-Rate Videoconference Announced
Note: The following is a March 12 E-rate Newsflash from the SLD.
Schools and Libraries Division/USAC announces a
FREE E-RATE VIDEOCONFERENCE
March 22, 1999 1-3pm EST
HOW TO AVOID THE FORM 471 "DIRTY DOZEN"
If you are gearing up to file your Form 471 before the window closes on April 6, 1999, you can't afford to miss this special Schools and Libraries Division videoconference focusing on the twelve most common mistakes applicants make on Form 471-and how NOT to make them on YOUR application. Learn how to avoid the errors that get your application summarily rejected, land you in Problem Resolution, or result in denial of funding for some or all of your E-rate requests.
Through this free national videoconference-which will also be webcast via the Internet-SLD staff will provide:
TUNE IN! FORM 471 SPECIAL VIDEOCONFERENCE
Monday, March 22, 1999, 1-3pm EST
Coordinates: C-band, GE-2 / Transponder 6
Downlink Frequency: 3820 MHz (Horizontal)
Audio Frequency: 6.2 / 6.8
Location: 85 degrees (Between Spacenet 3 & Telstar 4)
Technical Assistance: Julia Bushyhead, 202-467-5670 / -5671
Fax in Questions: 202-973-2073
Webcast: URL and other details soon!
All in the E-rate community are invited to downlink this
videoconference and tape, rebroadcast, or otherwise distribute
free of charge. Those unable to downlink may request a free-loan
videotape of the broadcast by emailing
jjones@universalservice.org. Because of limited supplies, the
broadcast videotapes will be loaned on a first-come, first-served
basis.
DON'T FORGET!! THE APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSES AT 11:59 EST ON APRIL 6!
To be counted "in the window," you must file your Form 471 (with all its necessary attachments and certifications) so that it is received by SLD by the window closing.
[3] Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative Grants
In the Federal Register of February 24, 1999 (v64, n36; pp. 9227- 9229), notice was published inviting states to apply for new applications for the Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative Grants. States will have two opportunities to submit their applications under this competition for FY99 funds. Deadline for the first stage applications is April 26; deadline for the second stage is August 20, 1999. Applications were available as of February 24.
The Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative is designed for States to plan and implement statewide family literacy initiatives, coordinate and, where appropriate, integrate existing Federal, State, and local literacy resources for the purpose of strengthening and expanding family literacy services in the State. Public librarians should note that Even Start was a part of the Reading Excellence Act, with funding of approximately $10 million for Even Start.
For further information contact: Mary LeGwin, Compensatory Education Programs, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-6132; phone:(202) 260-2499.
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http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon.
ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff. Editor: Lynne E. Bradley; Managing Editor: Deirdre Herman; Contributors: Phyllis Albritton, Mary Costabile, Carol Henderson, Peter Kaplan, Claudette Tennant and Rick Weingarten.
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