State Law Threatens Massachusetts's Federal Internet Funding

Staff -- Library Journal, 1/5/1998

An existing law on Massachusetts's books poses a threat to its cities collecting federal funding for Internet access in school and libraries. A report in the Boston Globe states that "aides to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino have been sounding the alarm to school superintendents and mayors across the state, warning that there is no way to abide by the law and meet the timetable for applying for the funds." The law, known as Chapter 149, allegedly requires a detailed bidding process for construction and alterations in public buildings. Somehow, Internet installation technically falls under the law's jurisdiction. Cities have 75 days to apply for a piece of the roughly $625 million Congress has slotted for Internet connection in the first half of FY98, but following the law would push Massachusetts well beyond that time frame. The Globe states that Boston officials are "drafting special legislation to blast through the red tape and waive some of the cumbersome bidding requirements, but many remain pessimistic."