MARK POCAN 
2ND DISTRICT, WISCONSIN 
COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET 
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION 
AND THE WORKFORCE 
ASSISTANT WHIP 
Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
UNITED STATES 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
December 4, 2014 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 1 ih St. SW 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler; 
10 EAST DoTY STREET, SUITE 405 
MADISON, WI 53703 
(608) 258- 9800 
3 1 3 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, DC 2051 5 
(202) 225-2906 
POCAN HOUSE .GOV 
I was pleased to learn about the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) proposal to 
increase funding for theE-Rate program from $2.4 billion to $3.9 billion a year. TheE-Rate 
program provides certain disadvantaged schools and libraries affordable telecommunications 
services and products, including internet access. 
In the 2014 funding year, Wisconsin schools and libraries received $27,610,389 in funding from 
theE-Rate program. This funding is critical to ensuring many of the schools in my district and 
across the state have Internet access and the technology essential for students developing skills 
necessary for the modem workforce. 
Currently, funding for theE-Rate program is capped at $2.4 billion dollars. Schools across the 
country, including many in Wisconsin, rely onE-Rate funding to update obsolete and inefficient 
technology. According to a report by the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, the cost of internet service 
to schools in Wisconsin is significantly higher than the national average, leaving many school 
districts struggling to meet students' needs. 
I am deeply concerned that without increased funding for theE-Rate program, many students 
residing in rural Wisconsin school districts will be left behind when it comes to technology 
updates. 
According to a FCC study, 68 percent of school districts do not meet the established goals for 
Internet speeds in schools to hit 1 ,000 megabits per second for every 1 ,000 students. Even more 
alarming, 41 percent of rural schools do not meet current connectivity goals. 
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I strongly encourage the FCC to move forward with its proposal to increase funding for the E­
Rate Program in order to allow students the ability to access 21st Century classrooms equipped 
with the necessary technology. Thank you for your hard work on this important issue. 
Sincerely, 
M~~---
Member of Congress