Larry Klein
Mayor
Richard Mehlinger
Vice Mayor
Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember
Linda Sell
Councilmember
Charlsie Chang
Councilmember
Eileen Le
Councilmember
August 31, 2026
T
he Honorable Brendan Carr
Chairman, Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554
R
E: 91 FR 38436, Wireline Competition NPRM Request for Feedback on the E- Rate Program
D
ear Chairman Carr:
W
e write to express concern with the recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM ) adopted by the Commission discussing changes to the E -Rate program, and the possibility that it could be significantly reduced, fundamentally restructured, or ultimately sunset. While we appreciate the Commission's responsibility to periodically evaluate federal programs to ensure they continue to serve the public interest, we ask the Commission to preserve E-Rate in its current form, where it is an incredibly successful and consequential program for our residents.
F
or nearly three decades, E-Rate has helped educational institutions and libraries across the country obtain affordable broadband connectivity, modern networking equipment, and the infrastructure necessary to participate in today's digital economy. Particularly among those serving rural, low-income, and underserved communities, the program has provided reliable internet access that supports education, workforce development, research, digital literacy, public services, and civic participation.
T
he Commission's NPRM appropriately recognizes that the program has largely achieved its original objective of bringing broadband connectivity to schools and libraries. However, the fact that connectivity is now widespread is not evidence that the program is no longer needed. Rather, it demonstrates that E -Rate has succeeded. We believe success should not become the justification for eliminating a program that continues to ensure affordable access, maintain existing networks, replace aging infrastructure, and allow institutions to keep pace with increasing technological demands.
Attachment 5
The Honorable Brendan Carr, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission August 31, 2026
We understand that the Commission is seeking comment on a number of proposals intended to modernize E -Rate, improve oversight, and ensure that funding aligns with congressional intent. Many of those questions deserve thoughtful consideration. At the same time, the inclusion of proposals asking whether the program should be limited to certain communities or even sunset altogether has generated significant concern among educators, librarians, and families who rely upon the program every day.
Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury within schools or libraries, it is foundational infrastructure. Students access coursework, assessments, career and technical education, college applications, and research through internet-connected devices. Libraries provide internet access for job seekers, veterans, seniors, entrep reneurs, and residents who lack reliable home broadband. Reducing federal support for this infrastructure would not reduce demand for connectivity; it would simply shift substantial financial burdens onto local taxpayers and institutions that are already operating under constrained budgets.
In our community, the E -Rate program is used to support the provision of high- speed wired and wireless internet connectivity for over a thousand daily library visitors across all backgrounds, including parents of young children, students, seniors, remote workers, small business owners, and people experiencing homelessness. In addition to meeting visitors’ information needs, our local librarians rely on connectivity to present vital programs including recent livestreams of panel discussions from Los Angeles and Philadelphia, commemorating World War II Japanese -American incarceration and analyzing the democratic founding of our nation during USA 250 semiquincentennial events. Beyond foundational connectivity, E -Rate funding enables us to maintain and upgrade systems to keep up with changing internet needs over time, a task that is critical to our sustainability yet is frequently threatened by budgetary constraints.
As the Commission continues its review, we respectfully urge you to preserve the core mission of the E -Rate. It is our hope that modernizations strengthen, not diminish, the program's ability to connect schools and libraries with the communications services they need to serve our shared constituents. The overwhelming success of E-Rate over the past thirty years demonstrates that it remains an essential component of our nation's communications infrastructure.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Attachment 5
The Honorable Brendan Carr, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission August 31, 2026
Sincerely,
Larry Klein
Mayor
cc: Senator Alex Padilla
Senator Adam Schiff
Representative Ro Khanna
City Council
Tim Kirby, City Manager
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Michelle Perera, Director of Library & Recreation Services
Attachment 5