More news and a call for support on current efforts to save the TIAAP
program (from ALAWON -- the American Library Association Washington Office
Newsletter Vol 4 #84)

>September 25, 1995

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>
>       KERREY AMENDMENT WOULD RESTORE TIIAP FUNDING; ACTION NEEDED
>
>Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) plans to offer a Senate floor amendment to
>restore $18.9 million in funding for the Telecommunications and Information
>Infrastructure Assistance Program for FY 1996.  The amendment is expected
>to be proposed during the week of September 25 when the FY96 Commerce,
>Justice, State, and Judiciary Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2076) comes to the
>Senate floor.
>
>The TIIAP program, administered by the National Telecommunications and
>Information Administration in the Commerce Department, provides matching
>grants to community and other partnerships to promote the delivery of
>social services and information via advanced telecommunications
>technologies.  Many libraries (and museums -- ed. ) have received funds,
>have applied, or have been partners in TIIAP projects.
>
>As approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, H.R. 2076 would
>eliminate all funding for the TIIAP program in both FY96 and FY95.  The
>FY95 proposed rescission would once again threaten the TIIAP grants just
>about to be announced and awarded.  Sen. Kerrey's amendment, while not
>reversing the full cuts, would restore significant funding for FY96.  If
>approved, the TIIAP program would be in a much stronger position heading
>into House-Senate conference.  The House-passed version provided $40
>million for FY96 and left intact the $36 million about to be awarded in
>FY95.
>
>ACTION NEEDED: TIIAP applicants and all interested in this valuable
>stimulus program should contact their Senators and urge them to vote in
>favor of Sen. Kerrey's amendment to H.R. 2076 to restore $18.9 million in
>FY96 TIIAP funding.