FCC ALLOTS $2.25 BILLION TO WIRE LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS - The FCC announced that it will provide full funding - $2.25 billion - to the e-rate program this year. The e-rate program, now in its third year, wires U.S. schools, libraries and communities for Internet access. The new funding means that about 1 million U.S. classrooms will be connected to the Internet, said Vice President Al Gore. The e-rate program generated more than 36,000 requests for funding this year and FCC Chairman William Kennard says that although not all these requests will be met, the new funding will further the goal of eventually providing Internet access to every classroom in the nation. (Associated Press, 13 Apr 00 Edupage 14 Apr 00)