Digital Television
TV Makers Not Worried About The Digital Transition
     Leading digital television manufacturers said this week they are not worried that Congress still has not finalized a "hard date" for the transition to digital television, but they said that step must happen to avoid stalemate. "We have believed all along that we needed a hard date, and we fully expect President Bush to sign a piece of legislation very soon" that will fix Feb. 17, 2009, as the date to end analog broadcasting, said John Taylor, a spokesman for LG Electronics. He and other television manufacturing representatives spoke at the Consumer Electronics Show and unveiled new lines of digital equipment. "The only concern we have is that we are all here producing these products designed for the transition ... and retailers will not buy them until they know what the date is," Thomson Vice President Dave Arland said.

Lobbying
Shapiro Sketches Old, New Electronics Industry Priorities
     The head of the Consumer Electronics Association used the bully pulpit of the Consumers Electronics Show to proclaim the virtues of technology and outline an agenda designed to keep the industry strong. "The CES in us represents the world's hope for its finest future -- future products which change people's lives, bring them joy, teach them skills and keep them connected," Gary Shapiro said. He called 2005 the "tipping point" for the transition to digital television, both in the marketplace and in Washington. He said the industry expects Congress to set Feb. 17, 2009, as the "hard date" to end analog television signals. That will free electronics makers to focus on other policy matters -- like establishing a nationwide system for recycling electronics. Shapiro also said his group must aggressively promote free trade, and he advocated steps to preserve consumers' "fair use" rights to copyrighted materials.

E-Government
Medicare Drug Plan Hindered By Technology Woes
     Medicare's prescription-drug plan hit a few bumps, but the Health and Human Services Department said millions of Americans still are enjoying smooth access to the new benefit. Computer glitches, incomplete medical information and jammed telephone lines were among the reported problems. Some beneficiaries in Maine, Massachusetts, New York and elsewhere reported that their information could not be found in the Medicare database. Furthermore, some pharmacists had to call into overloaded phone lines to verify patient eligibility when they faced slow computer responses. A spokesman for the company that handles the electronic verification of program beneficiaries said adjustments have been made. An HHS official added that given the 21 million people with sudden access to the drug benefit, the few problems have not overshadowed the program's early success.

Lobbying
Tech Industry Ponders Impact Of Corruption Scandal
     The Washington lobbying community is bracing for fallout from the scandal surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and the technology sector is no exception. Abramoff pleaded guilty to federal and state charges of influence peddling and agreed to provide information for an ongoing corruption probe. The unsavory details of Abramoff's exploits already are splattering the reputations of some lawmakers, and lobbyists predict that Congress could grow wary of overtures from lobbyists for a long time to come. Earl Comstock, president of the telecommunications industry group CompTel ALTS, said he expects an abundance of caution from lawmakers in their dealings with industry representatives. Chris Jehn, vice president of government affairs for Cray Research, agreed that there could be reticence among lawmakers.

Lobbying
Oracle Leaves ITAA On Eve Of Leader's Candidacy
     Oracle pulled out of the Information Technology Association of America just before the group's CEO, Harris Miller, left this week, presumably to prepare for a U.S. Senate bid. Miller, a Democrat, is widely expected to challenge Virginia Sen. George Allen. But since word began circulating that the ITAA chief may seek public office, there have been rumors that some of the association's Republican-leaning member companies are not pleased. Oracle ended its membership in ITAA for a number of reasons, but Miller's probable candidacy was chief among them, company lobbyist Robert Hoffman said. Miller would not comment on the departure of Oracle but said he would leave the association if he decides to challenge Allen.

Courts
Nominee Faces Questions About Wiretapping Powers
     The concept of "privacy" in Supreme Court confirmation hearings historically has stirred controversy because it generally is used as a euphemism for the debate over abortion rights. But confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito are expected to cover more ground in the realm of privacy rights. The debate could further polarize the nation over the question of what balance the courts should strike between citizens' privacy rights and government power. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which begins the hearings Monday, will probe Alito's views on executive power in war time, and questions about electronic eavesdropping by the National Security Agency also will play a central role. Lawmakers have penned letters voicing concern over the role that the Supreme Court will play in adjudicating the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress on issues such as domestic spying.

Campaigns
FEC Picks Panned By Backers Of Campaign Reform
     Advocates of campaign finance reform blasted the "recess appointments" of three new commissioners to the Federal Election Commission. President Bush named Republican Hans Von Spakovsky and Democrats Robert Lenhard and Steven Walther to the commission, which enforces campaign finance laws. Markos Moulitsas Zuniga of the Web log Daily Kos, who last summer urged the FEC not to apply campaign finance law to blogs, voiced displeasure with the move. "It seems interesting that at a time when Bush is being seen as an increasingly imperial president, a sort of 'King George' figure, that he would so something to so reinforce that view," Moulitsas said. It is not known where the new arrivals stand on applying campaign finance laws to online communication. Bush's recess appointments of officials at the Homeland Security and Defense departments also sparked criticism.

Security
Grant Structure Tweaked To Favor Regions, Not Cities
     Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced significant changes to how the federal government distributes counter-terrorism grants to cities. The changes attempt to address criticism of the grant program and curb abuses of the money by state and local governments. Chertoff said fiscal 2006 funding for urban-area security grants, which previously have gone to cities with the highest threats of terrorism, would be doled out to regional metropolitan areas. In other news, the Homeland Security inspector general recently concluded that the department's chief information officer does not have the authority and influence necessary to accomplish the integration of the department's information technology systems. But department officials wrote that CIO Scott Charbo believes he is "properly positioned and has the authority [his office] needs to accomplish its mission."