E-Rate Under Fire | Lawrence News

The FCC is reevaluating the E-Rate program — a lifeline for 102,000 schools and 12,000 libraries — asking if it should be scaled back or restructured as internet access becomes essential for everything from student health records to bus routing. With federal education funding shrinking and budgets tight, any changes could cripple operations — especially since 73% of public libraries depend on E-Rate for connectivity. Critics warn the FCC’s authority is shaky, and cutting discounts could force painful cuts to vital services, even as the program helped transform classrooms from near-zero internet access in 1996 to today’s digital necessities. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://kansasreflector.com/2026/09/13/repub/schools-libraries-sound-alarm-over-potential-changes-to-federal-internet-program/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/fa9bee27c3cc2472 Report issues to [email protected].