Senate Appropriations Subcommittees Push for Limited FY 2003 Community Technology Funding - July 22, 2002 Vol. 3 No. 15

July 22, 2002 Vol. 3 No. 15:

Published: 07/22/2002

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Senate Appropriations Subcommittees Push for Limited FY 2003 Community Technology Funding

On July 16, the survival of two key federal programs working to bridge the digital divide was given an additional boost during markup sessions for FY 2003 appropriations.

Two Senate appropriations subcommittees voted for continuation of the federal Technology Oppostunities Program (TOP) and Community Technology Centers (CTC) program at FY 2002 funding levels. The Senate Commerce, Justice, State and the Judiciary Appropriations Subcommittee voted for $15.5 million for TOP, while the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee voted for $32.5 million for CTC.

These figures are far below the desired level of $45 million for TOP and $65 million for CTCs sought by supporters of both programs, including the members of the Digital Empowerment Campaign, a coalition of more than 100 organizations, including OMB Watch, suppporting continued federal investments in community technology to increase the availablility and benefits of technology to underserved communities across the United States. It does, however, provide much needed leverage to ensure their continued operation in FY 2003, despite their proposed elimination under President Bush's FY 2003 budget.

For more information on the Digital Empowerment Campaign, visit www.DigitalEmpowerment.org