FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Ruben Hinojosa U.S. House of Representatives 2262 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Hinojosa: May 20,2014 Thank you for your letter regarding modernization of the Commission's rules governing the Schools and Libraries universal service support mechanism- also known as the E-rate program. I wholeheartedly agree with your views on the importance of the E-rate program to school districts with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, such as those you reference in south Texas. Modernization ofthe E-rate program is among the most important tasks currently facing the Commission. I am a strong advocate for and believe in the E-rate program and the need to modernize its operation to emphasize high-speed broadband, as demonstrated in the two speeches on the topic I've attached to this letter for your convenience. It is critical to America's future to ensure that our schools and libraries have affordable access to modern high-capacity broadband technologies, particularly, as you point out in your letter, school districts with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. In order to help provide our students with a 21st century education, it is essential that we re-prioritize the current program resources to focus on high-speed broadband connectivity both to schools and libraries and within schools and libraries. Commission staff is reviewing the record that has been developed in response to the July 2013 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, such as the views espoused by the South Texas Association of Schools, and meeting with stakeholders to ensure that we have robust input from all interested parties. Earlier this spring, the staff released a Public Notice seeking focused comment on a handful of specific issues that have been raised by commenters. In addition, the Commission held an E-rate Modernization Workshop on May 6, 2014, where Commission and E-rate stakeholders discussed the challenge of delivering high-speed connectivity to and within schools and libraries, highlighted successful strategies, and shared insights on these important Issues. My goal is for the Commission to adopt an Order that would implement fundamental structural and administrative changes. We need to ensure that theE-rate program supports the high-capacity broadband needed to give our students access to 21st century educational opportunities, while simultaneously improving the efficiency and administration of the program and establishing explicit program goals and measurements. Page 2-The Honorable Ruben Hinojosa I can assure you that as we proceed with reform of this important program, we will take the views of all stakeholders into account, including those espoused by your constituents. We also will include your letter in the record of the proceeding for Commission consideration. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Tom Wheeler Enclosures FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CH A IR M AN The Honorable Filemon Vela U.S. House of Representatives 437 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Vela: May 20, 2014 Thank you for your letter regarding modernization of the Commission's rules governing the Schools and Libraries universal service support mechanism- also known as theE-rate program. I wholeheartedly agree with your views on the importance ofthe E-rate program to school districts with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, such as those you reference in south Texas. Modernization of the E-rate program is among the most important tasks currently facing the Commission. I am a strong advocate for and believe in theE-rate program and the need to modernize its operation to emphasize high-speed broadband, as demonstrated in the two speeches on the topic I've attached to this letter for your convenience. It is critical to America's future to ensure that our schools and libraries have affordable access to modem high-capacity broadband technologies, particularly, as you point out in your letter, school districts with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. In order to help provide our students with a 21st century education, it is essential that we re-prioritize the current program resources to focus on high-speed broadband connectivity both to schools and libraries and within schools and libraries. Commission staff is reviewing the record that has been developed in response to the July 2013 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, such as the views espoused by the South Texas Association of Schools, and meeting with stakeholders to ensure that we have robust input from all interested parties. Earlier this spring, the staff released a Public Notice seeking focused comment on a handful of specific issues that have been raised by commenters. In addition, the Commission held an E-rate Modernization Workshop on May 6, 2014, where Commission and E-rate stakeholders discussed the challenge of delivering high-speed connectivity to and within schools and libraries, highlighted successful strategies, and shared insights on these important 1ssues. My goal is for the Commission to adopt an Order that would implement fundamental structural and administrative changes. We need to ensure that theE-rate program supports the high-capacity broadband needed to give our students access to 21st century educational opportunities, while simultaneously improving the efficiency and administration of the program and establishing explicit program goals and measurements. Page 2-The Honorable Filernon Vela I can assure you that as we proceed with reform of this important program, we will take the views of all stakeholders into account, including those espoused by your constituents. We also will include your letter in the record of the proceeding for Commission consideration. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincere!: / r ~ ~ rb,};t (;<;~ Torn Wheeler Enclosures