On February 13, 2013, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on the broadband stimulus programs managed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
Savings Don’t Score Any Points with CBO
In 1974, Congress created the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide a nonpartisan independent analysis of budgetary and economic issues. CBO provides cost estimates of legislation determines the impact on federal spending for at least five years and up to 10 years from enactment.
Congress Sets Its Eyes on IT Acquisition Reform
On February 27, 2013, the House Committee on Government Reform held its second hearing on information technology (IT) acquisition reform.
911 Funds Should Support 911 Functions
The 911 system is a valuable emergency communications tool available nationwide, and supported, in part, through fees typically designated as either 911 funds or enhanced 911 (E-911) fees.
BTOP Program Overbuilds Fiber in Colorado
On February 7, 2013, KUSA-Channel 9 News in Denver, Colorado investigated issues related to the administration of a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant within the state of Colorado, which is reportedly using the funding to build new fiber optic lines alongside those already in existence in direct competition with local telecommunication providers.
It Isn’t 1996 Anymore
The year was 1996. Bill Clinton was in the White House; scientists reported that there might be life on Mars; Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, was born; the T.V. hospital show E.R. topped the Neilsen’s ratings long before the “McDreamies” and “McSteamies” of the world entered onto the scene; the Simpsons became the longest running prime-time animated series; people were dancing to the Macarena; and on February 8, 1996, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was enacted.
Make the Ban on Internet Taxation Permanent
Today’s increasingly digital age has surrounded everyone’s lives with constantly connected laptops, tablets, and Smartphones, with quick, easy access to the Internet. These modern technological achievements are largely due to the fact that since 1992, when the general public first gained access to the World Wide Web, the Internet has been mostly free from government regulation and taxation.
Fight for Internet Freedom Continues
Innovation and development of the Internet has been allowed to grow and flourish around the globe for years. However, efforts are being made to change the flow of information and Internet governance through a new U.N. regulatory treaty that would give the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) authority over the Internet. From December 3-14, 2012, the […]
Police Chiefs Issue Guidance for Cloud Computing
On February 21, 2012, a Swineline blog post proposed that cloud computing is a viable option for law enforcement.
Time to Reduce Wasteful Government IT Spending
On January 22, 2013, the House Committee on Government Oversight held a hearing on reducing wasteful information technology (IT) spending by the federal government. According to a video released prior to the hearing by the Committee, the federal government wastes nearly $20 billion in IT spending each year, the equivalent of the amount of taxes paid by the state of Kansas annually.