FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN January 3, 2020 The Honorable Roy Blunt United States Senate 260 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Blunt: Thank you for your letter on the appeals of Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet) and Park Hill School District (Park Hill) regarding E-Rate funding decisions made by the Universal Service Administrative Company. I appreciate your commitment to working with the FCC to ensure that the E-Rate program meets its goals in Missouri while remaining free of waste, fraud, and abuse. I am pleased to provide updates on the MOREnet and Park Hill appeals. First, on December 20, 2019, the FCC s Wireline Competition Bureau granted MOREnet s waiver request. Based on staff s review of the record and the unique circumstances presented in the case, the Bureau found that MOREnet s methodology to calculate the consortium s discount rate was reasonable, that there was no evidence of waste, fraud, or abuse, and that grant of the waiver would further the E-Rate program s goal of ensuring that eligible schools and libraries receive much-needed funding. Second, the Wfreline Competition Bureau is actively working to address Park Hill s pending appeal and I expect it to be resolved during the first quarter of 2020. Although I cannot comment on the merits of the appeal, I can assure you that we will take into consideration all of the issues and concerns raised as the Bureau makes every effort to conclude its review in accordance with the law and the facts. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Ajit V. Pal