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Workshop in
Applied Public Management
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Individuals in many communities have limited or no access to the Internet. The Digital Bridge Trust Fund Act, HR 4477, introduced by Rep Edolphus Towns of New York on May 17, 2000, will fund programs that improve the skills and career opportunities in information technology and related fields for individuals in underserved rural and urban communities and for Native Americans. The Digital Bridge Trust Fund will be established in the Treasury of the United States. The Board of Trustees of the Digital Trust Fund will be established in the Department of Commerce. The Board is responsible for making decisions regarding the allocation of assistance mandated in Section 133 of the bill. Section 133 mandates minimum assistance for each fiscal year, except when noted, in the following areas: |
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1. Teacher Training, $300,000 annually for training teachers to use technology effectively in the classroom.
2. Community Technology Centers, $200,000,000 annually for establishing community technology centers to provide individuals who otherwise could not afford it, access to computers, technology training, and technological tools to improve their educational performance and their employment competitiveness.
3. Neighborhood Network Learning Centers, $200,000,000 annually for public-private partnerships to establish neighborhood learning centers providing computer-based services to help residents of federally-assisted housing learn critical computer skills.
4. Technology Development Fund, $200,000,000 to provide loans and investment capital to small communication businesses to stimulate technological growth and development, promote universal service, and enhance the delivery of telecommunication services to underserved areas.
5. Technology Opportunity Program, $145,000,000 annually for grants to provide matching funds to state, local and tribal governments and non-profit entities to extend the benefit of information technology to all Americans, especially those in underserved areas.
6. Rural, Urban and Native American Technology Training, $300,000,000 annually for preparing residents of rural and urban areas and Native Americans for technology careers.
7. Broadband Network Deployment, $100,000,000 annually for assistance regarding the deployment of broadband networks.
8. Home Internet Access Program, $100,000,000 for grants to assist public-private partnerships to address the needs of low-income individuals and families in gaining access to technology and online services at home.
9. 'Falling Through the Net' Survey, $500,000 for each fiscal year 2004 and 2007 to determine the extent to which Americans have access to telephones, computers and the Internet.
The workshop group will act as consultants to the Board of Trustees of the Digital Bridge Trust Fund Act. In this capacity, the group is responsible for developing an implementation plan for the allocation of assistance mandated in Section 133 of the bill.