Washington - Jun 9, 2010 - FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski appeared before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government requesting an increased 2011 budget of $325.5 million.

Genachowski stressed the increasingly essential role of communications in the daily lives of Americans: "As the country’s expert agency on communications, it is the FCC’s job to promote opportunity and prosperity for all Americans through communications technologies and networks."

The 2011 budget proposal, an increase of approximately $19.4 million over 2010, includes a one-time base increase of $11.1 million for 75 additional employees "to support the cyber-security role of the Commission; implement fully the Commission's broadband responsibilities; make the FCC a model for excellence in government; overhaul its data systems; revitalize its standing internationally; and allow the FCC to be a leader in the federal government in the use of new information technologies that will ensure broad-based public participation and unprecedented transparency in agency deliberations."

The Commission also seeks $6.4 million "to reflect the locality pay adjustment for Commission employees and the continuation of the $1 million base increase for additional full-time equivalents included in its fiscal 2010 budget."

The final base increase is $900,000 to support its public safety and homeland security efforts.

In addition, the FCC seeks approximately $8.2 million to implement three technology initiatives: