On March 9, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) and Senator Paul S.Sarbanes (D-MD) introduced the National Digital Empowerment Act (NDEA) in the Senate. Representatives Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Congressman Albert Wynn (D- MD) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The Act calls for:

• a "one stop shop for technology education" within the U.S. Department of Education to both provide access to information on federal and private technology information programs and access efforts
• increased funding for teacher training and school technology programs
• expansion of E-Rate to include structured after-school programs, Head Start centers and and programs receving federal job training funds
• $25 million for the development of an E-Corps under the existing AmeriCorps program to enable 2,000 volunteers to provide technology assistance in schools, libraries and communities.
• $100 million to be authorized for the existing Community Technology Centers program, in order to create 1,000 additional centers, especially in low-income areas
• establishment of "E-Villages" in all HUD housing programs.
• extends the current enhanced deduction for donations of computer technology through 2004, and expands the deduction to apply to contributions of technology, training and maintenance made to schools, libraries, Head Start centers, structured after-school programs (such as PAL centers) and community centers.
• authorizes $10 million to implement a pilot program that puts computers in students' homes.

More information is available from: http://mikulski.senate.gov/~mikulski/press/00/03/2000309939.html