Summer-Fall 2001

The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) is the nation's oldest, largest, and most diverse civil and human rights coalition, with over 180 national organizations committed to the protection and advancement of basic civil and human rights for all person in our society. The Leadership Conference Education Fund (LCEF) is the public education arm of the coalition and works to promote awareness of contemporary social, economic, and civil rights issues. The following is a synopsis of communications and Internet policy appropriations items that the Leadership Conference will focus on in the 107^th Congress. The Technology Opportunities Program (TOP), Community Technology Centers (CTC), and the Home Internet Access Program (HIAP) are three vital digital empowerment appropriations items that accelerate access to and utilization of advanced technologies in underserved communities.

The Technology Opportunities Program (TOP)

The Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) formerly known as the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) is a competitive, merit-based grant program that brings the benefits of innovative digital network technologies to communities throughout the United States. TOP awards totaling $13.9 million for FY 2000 went to 35 organizations in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Grants for FY2000 include a number of projects developed by smaller organizations, including tribal organizations, a Hispanic-serving institution, and other community-based organizations. TOP is administered by the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

The 106^th Congress and TOP — Last year the Clinton administration requested $45.5 million for TOP and Congress appropriated $45.5 million for grants through the Commerce Department's Technology Opportunities Program.

The 107^th Congress and TOP — President Bush's budget proposes to decrease funding for TOP by 65% from the current year's $45.5 million to $15 million. Slashing funding for TOP will decimate a program that has funded innovative uses of advanced telecommunications technologies for those in underserved communities.

Community Technology Centers (CTCs)

Community Technology Centers (CTCs) were designed to promote the development of programs that demonstrate the educational effectiveness of information technology in urban, rural, and economically distressed communities. CTCs have become a major focus for legislators seeking to bridge the digital divide. In FY 2000, $20 million was appropriated for CTCs as part of the Department of Education appropriations, and for FY 2001 the Department received $65 million. In addition, President Clinton requested $1 billion for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers, (many of which incorporated technology into their after-school programs) and received $846 million for FY2001

The 106^th Congress and CTCs — Last year the Clinton administration requested $100 million for 1000 CTCs and Congress appropriated $65 million for 650 CTCs in FY 2001.

The 107^th Congress and CTCs — In March, in a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee, Education Secretary Roderick Paige indicated that 21st Century Community Learning Centers would be consolidated with the Safe and Drug Free Schools Initiative, however, program funding would not be consolidated. The Bush Administration has proposed that the CTC program be administered at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Home Internet Access Program (HIAP)

The Home Internet Access Program (HIAP) was envisioned to increase the number of low-income families that have access to the Internet in their homes. HIAP was modeled after the highly successful Technology Opportunity Program with two guiding principles: locally driven solutions and public-private partnerships. HIAP would be administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) who would make grants to intermediate organizations -- non-profits; state, local, and tribal governments, colleges and universities -- to develop local programs for providing home-based access to families most at risk of being excluded from today's information-based economy.

The 106^th Congress and HIAP — The Clinton administration proposed $50 million for HIAP for expanding access to computers for low-income families and for skills development but received no funds for FY 2001.

The 107^th Congress and HIAP — The 107^th Congress has taken no action regarding HIAP.