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The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 1 i 11 Street SW 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
July 10, 2014 
1541 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 20515 
(PHONE) (202) 225~536 
(FAX) (202) 225- 5604 
Tomorrow the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to vote on a proposal 
which would make significant changes to theE-Rate program; this program is designed to help 
schools and libraries connect to the Internet and enhance our educational system, which I believe 
is an excellent goal. 
The proposal from what I have seen promises over $5 billion for Wi-Fi but doesn ' t identify 
where the money will come from to fund this new program. While the source of funding is a 
concern, a larger concern to my school districts and constituents in Southwest Missouri is how 
the funding would be distributed under the proposal should the FCC approve it. The proposed 
changes threaten the sustainability ofE-rate program and shift the focus away from the 
program' s neediest entities; the proposal also undermines the ability of the program to ensure 
Priority One services. These changes include a shift to per-pupil funding, calculating poverty at 
the district and not school level, consideration of pilot projects and elimination of legacy 
services, including phone and web hosting, among others. These changes would severely 
disadvantage smaller, rural schools such as the ones in my district. 
I understand the need to serve large urban school districts with significant needs, however the 
proposed shift is not an effective means of getting the Internet-era resources to schools and 
libraries with the greatest needs. I respectfully request the Commission to look more closely at 
this proposal before moving forward with a vote. 
BHL:sbs 
3232 EAST RIDGEVIEW STREET 
SPRINGFIELD, MQ 65804 
(PHONE) (417) 889-1800 
(FAX) (417) 889-4915 
http1/Long.house.gov 
Sincerely, NJ1f// 
Bill~  
Member of Congress 
2727 EAST 32ND STREET, SUITE 2 
JOPLIN, M O 64804 
(PHONE) (417) 781- 1041 
(FAX) (417) 781- 2832