Re: leverage vs. equity

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The Telecom Act is a great opportunity for helping fund the connectivity 
portion of the Information Highway.  However, the resulting money that's saved 
should be funneled by the schools and libraries to funding the other pieces.  
How do we ensure that the saved money gets used in this way?  Maybe by 
educating the community that one (the connectivity) is no good without the 
other (the training, the support, the equipment, etc.).  The telecom portion 
should be used as leverage in the communities and local districts to stimulate 
other funding--otherwise it's money down the drain.  Those interested could set 
up demos, serve on committees, and meet with parents, teachers and the other 
members of the community, or with any individual or group who influences the sc
hool budget. process and can potentially impact funding.  (I know how 
frustrating this can be, but I did have an impact in my community in this way.  
I also suspect that I am "preaching to the choir.")

There's also a State role.  States could implement complementary programs to 
finish the job, and there is lobbying work to be done at this level.  There's 
the possibility of further federal involvement, as well.  Some have suggested 
that a portion of the funds from spectrum auctions could be set aside, but that 
would take Congressional doing.

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