Congress Diverges Over Broadband Loans

CONGRESS DIVERGES OVER BROADBAND LOANS
[SOURCE: Technology Daily 8/20, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
The Senate and House diverge sharply on proposed fiscal 2008 funding for a federal program that provides loans to rural areas to spur deployment of high-speed Internet access. The Senate Appropriations Committee has recommended nearly $500 million for the broadband component of the Agriculture Department's Rural Utilities Service. But a House-passed spending bill would only provide $300 million. In February, the Bush administration proposed $300 million for the initiative, which provides loans to communities with populations of 20,000 or less to enable broadband deployment. Congress has appropriated $495 million for the effort in fiscal 2007. The loan initiative, which has provided more than 70 loans totaling $1.2 billion since its creation five years ago, is the subject of scrutiny on Capitol Hill. Critics include Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ken Salazar (D-CO), who offered legislation in May to overhaul the program and ensure that support reaches communities that need it the most.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/2007/08/chambers_split_over_broadband.html