The major Federal grant program for community technology centers may, within the next several working days, be deleted from the FY 2002 budget. That, combined with the threated reduction in the Commerce Department's TOP program, would signal a dramatic decline in government support for innovative uses of technology to connect communities and opportunities for residents of low-income communities to learn and utilize computer-related skills. Until a week or so ago, it looked like the federal Community Technology Centers grant program would be expanded from last fiscal year's $64.95 million up to $80 million for FY 2002, while being shifted from the Department of Education over to HUD. But now, according to HUD and Department of Education officials, a Congressional appropriations subcommittee has decided not to include any funds at all for a community technology center grant program at HUD. It appears that within the next several working days the decision could be made to either sustain the program at the U.S. Department of Education or to eliminate the program entirely. If the latter, that would abruptly terminate many truly outstanding community technology programs part way through their grants. Since both the Bush administration and the Senate have earlier this year supported an expansion of the community technology grant program either at HUD or the Dep't of Education, the House/Senate conference committee may be persuaded to continue funding grants for community technology, but that is unlikely to happen unless they hear from citizens that equitable access to computer-related learning opportunities in low-income communities is an issue that continues to merit government attention. For more information on what you can do, please visit the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Action Page.