Senators: FCC's Martin Didn't Tell Us About Reorg Plans

FCC Chairman KEVIN MARTIN's plan to spend $211 million for emergency repairs to communication services interrupted by HURRICANE KATRINA and to reorganize the agency to create a new bureau for emergency and safety communications coordination is being criticized by the leading Senators for both parties on the Senate appropriations subcommittee. 

REUTERS reports that Sens. RICHARD SHELBY (R-AL) and BARBARA MIKULSKI (D-MD) sent a letter to MARTIN on SEPTEMBER 22 saying that the plans "surprised" them and reminded MARTIN that reallocation of funds and reorganizations of agencies require at least 15 days' advance notice to "ensure that proposals which are not fully vetted during the annual appropriations process will not have unintended consequences and to preserve Congress' constitutional right to appropriate spending for government activities." The latter asked MARTIN for detailed information about his proposals; as of TUESDAY (10/25), aides for the Senators say no response has been received.

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