Washington Update

Today marked the beginning of the race for broadband grant funding. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic stimulus package, provides for a national broadband initiative.  Three government entities are charged with distributing funding for creating, sustaining, and expanding broadband deployment: the Department of Commerce (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Rural Utilities Service), and the Federal Communications Commission. In a meeting held at the Department of Commerce, the three agencies discussed paving the way for the broadband initiative and took questions from the audience.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said his department would be focusing on “unserved” areas, so that communities would be better positioned for accessing worldwide markets.  He said broadband will help farmers and ranchers prosper, allow small businesses to grow, and prepare young minds for the future.  Vilsack said he was “anxious to get to work.” 

President Obama named Julius Genachowski as the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In naming him, Obama said:

"“I can think of no one better than Julius Genachowski to serve as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He will bring to the job diverse and unparalleled experience in communications and technology, with two decades of accomplishment in the private sector and public service. I know him as the son of immigrants who carries a deep appreciation for this country and the American dream; and as the proud father of three children working with his wife Rachel to be responsible parents in this digital age.”

Genachowski, who has experience in the public and private sectors, is cofounder and managing director of LaunchBox Digital and Rock Creek Ventures, as well as Special Adviser to General Atlantic.

The Department of Commerce recently announced that they will begin meeting with those interested in discussing broadband grant opportunities on March 2, 2009.  Specifically, the Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will conduct meetings in order to answer questions and discuss broadband programs as described in the Broadband Data Services Improvement Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the recently passed economic stimulus bill.  Those interested in meeting with the NTIA may schedule an appointment by calling Ms. Barbara Brown at 202-482-4374 or emailing her at bbrown@ntia.doc.gov.  The meetings will be held at the Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC.

I did not think both the House and Senate would be able to pass such a large, complicated piece of legislation in time for their President's Day deadline, but I was wrong.

This afternoon, the House of Representatives passed the economic stimulus bill by a vote of 246-183. The Senate is already debating the legislation on the floor, and plans to have a final vote today. According to Politico, that vote is set for the 5 o'clock hour this evening. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid remains confident that his "fragile 60-vote bipartisan coalition" will deliver the votes needed for bill passage in that chamber this evening.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that 74% of the $787 billion package will be injected into the economy in the next 18 months.

Washington, DC- Late Friday, a few moderate Republicans joined Democrats in saying they would help pass a stimulus bill soon. It is now expected that the Senate will finish amendment work and vote on a bill around noon Tuesday (2/10). Both the House and Senate are still planning to complete and pass a conference bill in time for President Obama to sign it by President's Day, which is Feb. 16.

Broadband provisions are currently far from certain. While the House-passed bill featured $6 billion for broadband, the Senate currently has allotted almost $7 billion for the NTIA broadband grant program. (The Senate bill earlier called for $9 billion, but this sum was cut by $2 billion as senators worked on the legislation.) It is believed that Congress may also consider limiting tax breaks to spending in rural and underserved areas to prevent providers from receiving a tax break windfall.

BUDGET REPORTS
01/23/2009

Washington, DC- After the excitement of the Inauguration, the House of Representatives is busily working on the economic stimulus package.  Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) says he expects the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to receive full consideration on the House floor on Wednesday, January 28.  The House Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce Committees finished their respective mark-ups on Wednesday and Thursday. This weekend, staff will work to assemble the various sections into one, cohesive bill. 

Meanwhile, Sue Fratkin of Fratkin Associates reports that Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), the Senate Finance Committee Chairman, has released the Senate’s draft stimulus bill this afternoon.  While no one has had a chance to analyze it yet, she warns that it is possible we might see cuts and a “reorganization of proposed spending.”     

Ebert and Roeper, beware: Your thumbs are in jeopardy.

In today's Alice-in-Wonderland world of digital copyright enforcement, we shouldn't be surprised that Hollywood is following the advice of the Red Queen: "Sentence first, verdict afterwards. Off with her head!"

Or, in this case, off with his thumbs.

On Jan. 12, YouTube amputated 5 hours worth of material posted by respected film critic and movie historian Kevin B. Lee because it contained (prepare to be shocked) clips of the movies under discussion.

"Infringement!" cried Big Hollywood.

This morning House Democrats unveiled their economic stimulus plan, which they are referring to as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $825 billion package includes $550 billion in new spending and $275 billion in tax cuts. Of particular interest to the EDUCAUSE community, though, is the six billion dollars it would devote to expanding broadband access. If you add in further provisions, the bill currently allows for a total investment of about eight billion dollars in broadband-related stimulus projects.

According to a summary provided by CongressDaily, the bill provides funding for expanding "broadband internet access, so businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link up to the global economy." Such an investment will "provide business and job opportunities in every section of America with benefits to e-commerce, education, and healthcare."

The Department of Education recently posted a 219-page document summarizing the various provisions included in the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).  While there are many grant programs relevant to EDUCAUSE community members, it is important to remember that these are authorizations, not appropriations.

Specifically, the Department writes that “only the following three [programs] are funded at this time: (1) Promoting Post Baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans; (2) Master’s Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and (3) Master’s Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions. The other new programs cannot be implemented until funding is provided.”

When Congress authorizes a program, they are basically giving permission to allot funding for that program.  However, this is NOT to be confused with actually appropriating funding (providing the money itself). 

The Pew Internet & American Life Project has issued its report based upon survey findings called "The Future of the Internet III." Technology stakeholders and critics were asked in an online survey to assess scenarios about the future social, political, and economic impact of the Internet.

Among the key findings were:

The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) has much to be happy about these days. The incoming Obama Administration seems to be highly favorable to much of CDT's agenda for Internet policy. Yesterday, CDT held a press conference to announce their release of transition documents, which contain several proposals relating to security and civil liberties, openness, consumer privacy, and free speech. The documents, "which are already in the hands of the Obama Transition Team," can be viewed here: www.cdt.org/transition.

CDT President Leslie Harris said the memos are a product of nine months' work in preparation for the incoming administration. She said she believes President-elect Barack Obama's staff are aware of the importance of Internet issues, and she hopes they will take the "opportunity now to reaffirm the value of the Internet." Harris said the Administration should practice legal restraint and form rational policy on Internet free speech issues, and that Obama should stand as a "strong advocate for free expression."

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency has released its final report, "Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency." The Commission’s three major findings are: