[RTC List] Latest Stimulus Developments

[Larry Goldberg]

 Good news/ bad news:  As of yesterday, Senate Amendment (SA 570 invoked in
Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 61 – 3), broadband infrastructure has been whittled
down from $40 Billion to $7 Billion, but it’s better than nothing (and a
portion of funds are earmarked for rural areas).  Based on what I could find
at this time, here is the latest Senate appropriations for Broadband in
Economic Stimulus bill:

BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM 

    For an amount for ``Broadband Technology Opportunities Program'',
$7,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That
of the funds provided under this heading, $6,650,000,000 shall be expended
pursuant to section 201 of this Act, of which: not less than $200,000,000
shall be available for competitive grants for expanding public computer
center capacity, including at community colleges and public libraries; not
less than $250,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for
innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service;
and $10,000,000 shall be transferred to ``Department of Commerce, Office of
Inspector General'' for the purposes of audits and oversight of funds
provided under this heading and such funds shall remain available until
expended: Provided further, That 50 percent of the funds provided in the
previous proviso shall be used to support projects in rural communities,
which in part may be transferred to the Department of Agriculture for
administration through the Rural Utilities Service if deemed necessary and
appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary
of Agriculture, and only if the Committees on Appropriations of the House
and the Senate are notified not less than 15 days in advance of the transfer
of such funds: Provided further, That of the funds provided under this
heading, up to $350,000,000 may be expended pursuant to Public Law 110-385
(47 U.S.C. 1301 note) and for the purposes of developing and maintaining a
broadband inventory map pursuant to section 201 of this Act: Provided
further, That of the funds provided under this heading, amounts deemed
necessary and appropriate by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), may be transferred to the FCC
for the purposes of developing a national broadband plan or for carrying out
any other FCC responsibilities pursuant to section 201 of this Act, and only
if the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate are notified
not less than 15 days in advance of the transfer of such funds: Provided
further, That not more than 3 percent of funds provided under this heading
may be used for administrative costs, and this limitation shall apply to
funds which may be transferred to the Department of Agriculture and the FCC.

 


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