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Who hates the E-Rate?

This one affects everyone with a phone. The E-Rate program allows schools to get reduced-rate or free internet access. Funded by pass-throughs on consumer phone bills, the program is unpopular with customers and has drawn heavy criticism from Republicans, who have dubbed the charge the "Gore tax" with some success. Read about FCC Chairman William Kennard trying to keep it alive and Congress trying to kill it. The chief argument against the program is that it is a federal tax masquerading as a telco phone-bill surcharge. Read what both sides have to say in this scintillating article.

Thu, 16 Mar 2000 07:40:36 -0800