The Commission is requesting that its Fiscal Year 1976 travel budget be increased from $784,000 to $884,000 or an increase of $100,000. The increased $100,000 is proposed to meet the effects of the increased per-diem rates which became effective May 19, 1975.

The use of travel funds is an integral part of our enforcement program in the Field Operations Activity. In Fiscal Year 1976 the Field Operations Activity has a total travel budget of $330,000. Without the proposed increase, we will be forced to significantly curtail needed travel for field investigation and enforcement efforts, which will offset rule compliance in all of the radio services which are regulated by the Commission.

We are taking steps to eliminate all marginal utility travel, however faced with increasing demands for staff travel, we must request that these additional funds be provided.