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Barton Urges FCC to Listen to Public, Reform Costly Universal Service Fund

‘Please do not squander this chance’

October 30, 2008

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Joe Barton Thursday told the Federal Communications Commission Thursday that while its attempt to reform the Universal Service Fund "misses the mark" and will have the effect of leaving rural Americans behind.

""The program has already cost Americans $51 billion over ten years, and yet there is still no end in sight," he added in a letter address to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. "Adding broadband will only entrap yet another service in this broken and anti-competitive subsidy program."

Barton, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s ranking Republican, also encouraged the agency publicize and take public comment on its proposal. There is no excuse, he said, "for skirting the fundamental administrative fairness of allowing the public to comment."

A copy of the Barton letter is attached, and it also may be viewed here.

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