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I have served as an advisor to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) in their quest to upgrade the broadband connectivity available through public library computer centers throughout Texas. I have been committed to the benefits of broadband connectivity for Texans and the role libraries play in communities throughout Texas.
In 2009, Texas was one of seven states chosen to receive a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online broadband grant to upgrade broadband access for our libraries. While conducting surveys, we discovered that over 100 primarily rural public libraries were lacking sufficient broadband speeds to keep up with current technologies, thus putting education and economic development at risk in rural communities. Through the Gates Foundation grant, TSLAC will be able to upgrade many of the underserved libraries throughout the state beginning in mid to late 2010.
I am also pleased to announce that TSLAC applied for an $11,000,000 stimulus grant through NTIA. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Public Computer Center Grant is specifically for Texas public libraries. Public libraries are an invaluable community asset for our fast growing and increasingly diverse population.
Between 2000 and 2008, the population of Texas grew by almost 17%, more than twice that of the United States as a whole. Presently, it is estimated that 1,000 people per day are moving to Texas. And Texas is rapidly becoming a majority minority state.
We are proud of the unique elements that draw people to our great state, and we embrace the great melting pot of cultures and languages that we are experiencing. However, we are mindful of the tremendous challenges this poses as we in positions of state leadership focus on high standards for economic stability and growth, educational achievement, and personal betterment while facing a looming multi-billion dollar state deficit.
The Public Computer Center grant would increase the number of computers for public access in our libraries, support more robust telecommunications capacity, and reduce the wait time for computer access. These improvements will make it possible for Texas public libraries to help more people acquire and increase computer skills, develop professional resumes, search and apply for jobs, take distance learning courses, work toward receiving a GED or other educational certification, access e-government services, and much more.
Throughout my tenure as Governor for the great State of Texas and afterwards, I have witnessed the continued impact that public libraries have made in local communities by directly supporting education, economic development, e-government services, and, in some cases, emergency services. Through the enhancement of broadband connectivity and computer centers, the libraries will continue to lead communities into the next century and beyond.
posted: May 24, 09:28 AM
Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst has asked TEP to work with him on several events throughout Texas to highlight our state’s economy. Most recently TEP worked with local small business owners and area chambers to host the lieutenant governor and various local officials in Texarkana and Nacogdoches.
Speaking to more than 100 attendees in Texarkana, Lt. Governor Dewhurst said, “If a Texan wants to provide for their family, we’ll do everything we can to help.”
TEP will continue to work with the lieutenant governor on similar events in the coming weeks. When possible, we will make every effort to invite local TEP members to these events. If you have any questions about upcoming Jobs events, please contact Robert Howden at: howden@texasprogress.com.
posted: May 24, 09:06 AM
New Report Outlines Regulations’ Impact on U.S. Job Market
Today, economist Coleman Bazelon of The Brattle Group released a new report, “The Employment and Economic Impacts of Network Neutrality Regulation: An Empirical Analysis,” that highlights the effects proposed net neutrality regulations would have on the broadband industry and the U.S. economy. The research was sponsored by Mobile Future, the non-profit, non-partisan coalition of technology businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals dedicated to advocating for an environment in which innovations in wireless technology and services are enabled and encouraged.
The study found that the net neutrality regulations currently under consideration by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would negatively impact the broadband sector and job growth in the U.S.
Some key findings from the report:
- Revenue growth in the broadband sector could slow by about one-sixth over the next decade;
- Broadband sector jobs lost could be expected to total 14,217 in 2011, growing to 342,065 jobs by 2020;
- Economy-wide, 65,404 jobs could be put in jeopardy in 2011, with the total economy-wide impact growing to 1,452,943 jobs affected by 2020.
Today, 95% of the U.S. population can get fixed broadband at home, 98% have access to 3G mobile broadband services, and nearly two-thirds have adopted broadband. The majority of that adoption to date has been on fixed broadband networks, but over the next decade, mobile broadband is expected to be the main source of broadband growth. Consequently, it would bear the largest share of the economic burden caused by network neutrality regulations. In 2008, mobile broadband lines accounted for about one-quarter of all broadband lines, but would likely account for more than half of the losses over the coming decade if the proposed network neutrality regulations are put into place.
“The paper empirically examines the potential impacts of network neutrality regulations on revenue and employment in the broadband sector. The analysis finds that any constraining form of network neutrality regulations would limit broadband expansion, thereby limiting job creation and growth in the wireless sector,” explains author Coleman Bazelon of The Brattle Group. “Broadband is the life-blood of economic growth. Any change in the rules restricting broadband providers should be carefully considered as the country searches for ways to get people back to work in sustainable jobs.”
The wireless sector currently employs more than 260,000 Americans directly and 2.4 million indirectly — from applications developers to retail store workers to network engineers. Together, their work contributes $100 billion annually to our nation’s GDP. The prospect of lost broadband sector jobs being absorbed into other parts of the Internet economy is remote, as broadband firms employ more U.S. citizens per dollar of revenue than Internet content firms.
“The FCC recently laid out an ambitious plan to ensure that every American has access to broadband, but there are several factors, including potential net neutrality regulations, that could derail or deter progress toward many of the broadband plan’s key economic objectives,” said Mobile Future Chairman Jonathan Spalter. “Broadband deployment has been a boon to the economy even through this period of recession. The tremendous growth we have seen to date has occurred in an environment that encourages investment and innovation. As the Commission moves forward on these challenging issues, it is imperative that policymakers resist policies that could put economic growth and recovery at risk.”
To Read the Report: http://www.mobilefuture.org/EconomicImpacts
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This article is courtesy of Mobile Futures. For more information about Mobile Future please go to: http://www.mobilefuture.org
posted: May 24, 08:56 AM
A few years ago there was a popular book entitled All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Watching the FCC’s reaction to losing the Comcast case, we’re beginning to wonder if maybe some higher-ups at the FCC weren’t paying attention in Kindergarten.
Don’t Throw a Tantrum
Perhaps you remember the days when being told “no” was really hard to handle. Sooner or later, for the most part, people learn that being told “no” is simply part of life and that “no” is far from the worst thing that can happen, and is actually often the catalyst to other opportunity.
Some, however, do not learn to handle “no” well. The FCC, when told it had little statutory authority over broadband, instead of focusing on the many areas where it does have authority, threw a tantrum and is now determined to impose itself on broadband by reversing previous FCC decisions, policies, and court decisions. It doesn’t matter how much it costs and how much time it takes away from other pressing matters, the FCC is going to get it’s way. Someone doesn’t know how to handle “no” very well.
Always Tell the Truth
The tale being told by the Commission is that the broadband communications marketplace, including wireless, is somehow a failure. But as we have many times pointed out to the FCC, all market analysis defies this assertion. The Internet has been in robust growth mode and now has reached a true mark of success — high-speed broadband access for 95% of U.S. consumers.
Moreover, in his recent rhetoric, FCC Chairman Genakowski is turning history on its head, asserting that somehow previous to the court’s decision in Comcast, the FCC had authority over broadband, but now that the court has disagreed, the court has somehow caused a crisis that can only be solved through new FCC authority.
This simply isn’t true. By asserting authority it didn’t possess and assessing fines it had no authority to assess, it’s the FCC that caused the problem, not the courts. When courts tell you that you have done wrong, the courts aren’t causing a problem — they’re identifying a problem that YOU caused.
Don’t Be a Bully
Coincidentally, the FCC also has before it for consideration Comcast’s purchase of NBC-Universal. It’s unfortunately become commonplace in merger reviews for regulatory agencies to set policy by fiat while they’re holding companies hostage through the merger review. Will a grudge-holding FCC try to bully Comcast into accepting terms related to network neutrality or to accept the FCC’s authority over its broadband networks? We’ll be watching.
This article is courtesy of Institute for Public Policy Innovation (IPI). For more information about IPI and to sign up for TechBites go to: http://www.ipi.org.
posted: May 24, 08:51 AM
From the Institute for Policy Innovation
TechBytes 7.20
May 20, 2010
Recently the FCC decided it should examine the current “retransmission consent rules” to determine whether they are working for all parties, including broadcasters, content creators, service providers and customers.
Retransmission rules were adopted in 1992. They allowed U.S. television stations to force video service providers, such as cable or satellite, to carry “local content” provided by the local television station (called “must carry”), or to negotiate with the video service provider for carriage of its broadcast programming.
But today, the rules need an update. Continuing the threat of “must carry” distorts price mechanisms and thus distorts negotiations — a short-sighted government construct rather than a true marketplace negotiation.
And the retransmission rules were written in a time before consumers had access to so many video and information choices — during a time that was nothing like today’s vibrant, competitive video service marketplace.
But the damage this system wreaks goes further. The broadcasters should receive fair value for the use of their content. However, in writing the current retransmission rules Congress second-guessed the market, believing that “many broadcasters may determine that the benefits of carriage are themselves sufficient compensation for the use of their signal by a cable system.” The rationale lacks the understanding that entire business models may change or that content may increase in value. Government should not be in the business of setting or regulating prices or even influencing prices.
In view of the changes that have occurred since the current rules were put in place, including both market and technological changes, it is appropriate for the commission to consider improvements in the retransmission rules. The appropriate changes would facilitate market-based negotiations so that content is appropriately valued while restoring balance, which would minimize consumer anxiety and provider uncertainty.
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Today’s TechByte was written by Bartlett D. Cleland, director of IPI Center for Technology Freedom.
posted: May 22, 09:12 AM
Broadband as Big as Texas
by Robert S. Howden, Executive Director, Texans for Economic Progress
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently released its highly-anticipated National Broadband Plan which, at its core, is a program to bring broadband access to the Internet to every home and business in America.
This strikes a particular note here in Texas because of the sheer size of our state and the need to ensure equal access to technology whether a person lives in Harris County (population about four million) or Loving County (population 42). The vast acreage dedicated to agriculture means that population density is low, but the need for the most modern technology is high.
Read more at http://www.texasprogress.com/blog/broadband-as-big-as-texas
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Governor Perry: Technology Creates Opportunities for Learning
Speaks at Inaugural Game On! Texas Symposium
Gov. Rick Perry recently underscored the importance of ensuring young Texans receive a quality education that will help them succeed in the rapidly changing global marketplace. The governor spoke at the inaugural Game On! Texas Symposium, which was hosted by the Texas Film Commission, AMD, the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the City of Austin.
“There is no question that technology is influencing young Texans’ lives, perhaps more than any other generation, and rapidly changing the workplace and the jobs our children will someday do in it,” Gov. Perry said. “I applaud the folks here today for thinking outside the box, setting aside any preconceived notions of what works and what doesn’t, and identifying our children’s education as a top priority.”
View full text of the governor’s remarks at http://governor.state.tx.us/news/speech/14494/
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The Court of Public Opinion
by Bartlett D. Cleland, Director of IPI Center for Technology Freedom
As we reported last February, a group of so-called consumer advocates and labor interests was urging Comcast to drop the litigation it brought challenging the FCC’s use and enforcement of agency-made “guidelines.” These guidelines determined how a company should manage its own networks and enforced them as if they were appropriately promulgated rules.
Comcast was only trying to ensure that peer-to-peer applications would not consume so much bandwidth that other applications, such as emergency phone calls, would be slowed down or interrupted. This week, the DC Circuit Court concluded that the FCC lacked jurisdictional authority when it fined Comcast for managing its network.
Read more at http://www.texasprogress.com/blog/the-court-of-public-opinion
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TEP Interactive Social Media Alert
Following the latest tech news is easier than ever by joining TEP’s social media pages. We are pleased to offer you up-to-the-minute updates on our Twitter page (http://twitter.com/TX4EconProgress). You can also join our TEP Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texans-for-Economic-Progress/132109505649?v=wall&viewas=512948437) and of course stay up-to-date with our latest news (http://www.texasprogress.com/rss).
posted: May 5, 06:48 PM
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
R i c k P e r r y
For Immediate Distribution Governor’s Press Office: 512-463-1826
July 13, 2010 Allison Castle: Allison.castle@governor.state.tx.us
News Release Katherine Cesinger: kcesinger@governor.state.tx.us
Texas Declared America’s Top State for Business
CNBC Study Ranks Texas as No. 1 Business Climate in the Nation
AUSTIN – Texas is America’s Top State for Business, according to a CNBC study that scored each state based on 40 different measures of competitiveness.
“This designation reinforces the fact that the Lone Star State is the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulations and skilled workforce,” Gov. Perry said. “These policies have helped keep our economy comparatively strong through the national economic downturn, and will continue to make us globally competitive in the future.”
CNBC scored each state using publicly available data to determine the rankings. States received points based on ten broad categories including: cost of doing business, workforce, economy, education, quality of life, technology and innovation, transportation, cost of living, business friendliness, and access to capital.
This ranking adds to the growing list of accolades for Texas’ business climate. No other state is home to more Fortune 500 companies, and Texas is the nation’s leading exporting state for the eighth year in a row. Additionally, Texas was recently named the “Best State to Do Business” by CEO Magazine for the sixth year in a row, and six of Texas’ metro areas were listed as “America’s Recovery Capitals” by Forbes and Moody’s Economy.
Texas created more private sector jobs than any other state in the nation over the last 10 years. Additionally, Texas’ unemployment rate remained steady at 8.3 percent in May, well below the national average.
The complete CNBC study is available on www.topstatesforbusiness.cnbc.com.
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by Robert S. Howden, Executive Director
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently released its highly-anticipated National Broadband Plan which, at its core, is a program to bring broadband access to the Internet to every home and business in America.
This strikes a particular note here in Texas because of the sheer size of our state and the need to ensure equal access to technology whether a person lives in Harris County (population about four million) or Loving County (population 42). The vast acreage dedicated to agriculture means that population density is low, but the need for the most modern technology is high.
Having a broadband connection available to every household will make an immediate difference in how Texas educates its children. As we look down the road to high national unemployment for years to come, it is obvious that the better educated a job seeker is, the better chance he or she has of a successful search.
A report by the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress proves that while the overall unemployment rate remains in the high single digits, people with college degrees is about half the unemployment rate for the entire workforce.
For students in small towns, the ability to get the same research materials from the libraries in the University of Texas system or any library or museum in the world is a huge advantage in getting better grades in high school, qualifying for increasingly competitive seats in our colleges and Universities.
Health care is another area where broadband access has immediate impact. In urban areas, seniors who are living independently can be equipped with relatively inexpensive devices, enabling them to send their vital signs to their physician’s office, rather than having to take an expensive or physically difficult trip. Many physicians say just being able to “see” their patients through a webcam, can help them tell whether any medical intervention is needed.
In rural areas, the ability for a local doctor to call on a specialist at Baylor or M.D. Anderson without having a patient endure hours of travel can make a huge difference in medical care throughout the state. In fact, research into tele-medicine has even shown that after a major procedure, people in rural towns do better because they are more likely to keep up with their post-operative medications and therapy if they can travel to their local medical facility to be checked out by the specialist in Dallas or Houston, rather than facing the long ride to see them in person.
Finally, the ability to build a world-wide business from every den or spare bedroom in Texas has become a realistic dream. People don’t have to work in the high-tech corridor in Austin to be able to create the next “must-have” iPhone app, or produce videos for clients that can be seen by people around the world.
A small manufacturer in San Antonio can market and sell to a potential buyer in London or Rome. And a retailer in Tyler or Kilgore can find and see unique merchandise on the Internet no matter where in the world it is being made. The Internet is a powerful force in the 21st century world. Broadband access to the Internet has gone from a rarity only available to major corporations, government entities, and academic institutions to a necessity which should be available to everyone.
posted: Apr 13, 02:05 PM
by Bartlett D. Cleland, director of IPI Center for Technology Freedom for TechByte
As we reported last February, a group of so-called consumer advocates and labor interests was urging Comcast to drop the litigation it brought challenging the FCC’s use and enforcement of agency-made “guidelines.” These guidelines determined how a company should manage its own networks and enforced them as if they were appropriately promulgated rules.
Comcast was only trying to ensure that peer-to-peer applications would not consume so much bandwidth that other applications, such as emergency phone calls, would be slowed down or interrupted. This week, the DC Circuit Court concluded that the FCC lacked jurisdictional authority when it fined Comcast for managing its network.
Now that they have lost in court, the same group seems intent on pushing for more government control of the Internet no matter how they have to do it.
This attempt to dismantle and discourage innovation has played itself out, as it should, in the courts, and it has been soundly defeated. But that is clearly not enough for some, and they are turning to interviews and panicked fundraising appeals to declare that such reasonable policies cannot stand and that the government must be given the power to impose greater regulation over all communications, and certainly over Internet broadband.
Simply put they want the FCC to control the Internet by placing it under Title II (see What’s In A Title), which would erect government tariffs, rules, recordkeeping and reporting, under the belief that Washington can do a better job crafting an Internet experience than the marketplace.
Their efforts to subvert the legitimate policymaking process and jam through legislation would only result in jeopardizing the future of broadband.
The extremist screeching should be put in its place and policymakers should now move forward and champion proven market solutions, which have and will continue to yield robust innovation, growth and investment. Those are the hallmarks of the wildly successful Internet boom for over a decade.
This question should now be settled, and we should now focus on continuing to expand the availability of broadband to as many American households as possible.
posted: Apr 13, 02:00 PM
Special to TEP
From Robert Scott, Commissioner of Education
Government officials are experts at adding but they rarely know how to subtract. Law and regulations are constantly added but rarely do we eliminate or reduce any. I think it is time for this to change.
That is why I have announced that I will be reviewing all education regulations known as commissioner rules. These cover a wide range of topics, such as charter school operations, teacher incentive programs, financial accountability ratings systems, various pilot programs and much more.
I am convening a series of stakeholder meetings, so I can gather direct feedback from those affected most. I want to know what rules are obsolete or burdensome or just aren’t needed anymore.
State sunset law requires that any rule by reviewed every four years. This formal process will continue, but I want to conduct an informal review this year. If there are changes or updates that need to be made and that I have the authority to make, I will do so. If those changes require legislative approval, I will present a list of potential changes to the Texas Legislature for review when it next convenes in January 2011.
Please take a look at the commissioner rules located at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/home/ and give me your thoughts on how we can improve and simplify our regulations. You can send feedback to commissioner@tea.state.tx.us.
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