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NGA Analyzes State Agendas
A National Governors' Association (NGA) analysis of the more than 40 State of the State addresses delivered by governors indicates that health care and education are top priorities in 2001. But other key issues include: developing a highly qualified and trained workforce; attracting new businesses; sustaining a quality of life that will foster a new economy; protecting the environment; launching e-government initiatives; and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
"Governors are also focusing strongly on e-government initiatives," said Ray Sheppach, executive director of the NGA. "They realize the importance of bringing state governments closer to citizens. They also want to give citizens the convenience and simplicity of providing information and services online."
Many governors also have linked quality-of-life initiatives to investments in transportation, infrastructure and environmental protections, forming a framework for states to attract new businesses and job growth. Additionally, workforce-training programs are being introduced to allow employees to adapt to changing technologies in the new economy.
Tell It To The Judge, Online
In the next few weeks, Michigan Gov. John Engler, R, intends to propose a plan to establish an electronic court for business disputes, reports The Detroit Free Press.
Speaking at Michigan's first electronic law conference last week, Engler said he plans to meet with state Supreme Court Chief Justice Maura Corrigan to discuss his cyber-court ideas while also continuing to build support in the judiciary and the legislature. "Speed is everything, and new-economy companies need a court system that is connected and [can] keep up," Engler said. "If we did it right, we could give Michigan a competitive advantage over other states."
Engler highlighted his cyber-court idea in his State of the State address Feb. 4. He envisions a cyber court featuring e-filings, Web-based conferencing and virtual courtrooms, which would aim to reduce time and cost. He also envisions that the court would recognize that prompt dispute resolution is essential to the success of the new venture.
"Done correctly, America's first cyber court will make the next Michigan uniquely attractive to the next generation of technology-driven companies," Engler said. "The next Michigan has the potential to be to technology companies what Delaware has been to public corporations."
Michigan is home to 6,000 information technology companies, with 1,800 tech-focused firms located in Oakland County's Automation Alley. In his address, Engler cited the need for strong intellectual property protections and called on the state's Department of Economic Development and the e-Michigan Office to curb Internet access fees and litigation costs in an effort to roll out faster Internet connections to more areas.
He also asked the department to talk to the leaders of Michigan State University's Internet 2 project, which is focusing on the next generation of the Internet, about making the Ann Arbor campus the team's permanent home.
Technology Spreads In New Hampshire
New Hampshire officials are trying to bridge the gap between parts of the state that have gone high-tech and those that have not, AP reports. High-speed, high-capacity telecommunications services at reasonable prices stop short of the borders of Coos, Carroll and Grafton counties and the Monadnock region, according to local officials and business representatives. "There is basically a digital divide," said Rebecca Lake, information services director for Keene City.
Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, D — who has been a new-economy advocate and who is rumored as a potential Senate candidate in 2002 — has appointed a statewide telecommunications group representing buyers, sellers and the government. In the past few months, Shaheen has reserved $250,000 from the state's economic development fund to launch two telecommunications projects.
Additionally, in her State of the State address Feb. 3, Shaheen stressed the need to "awaken in our children" an interest in science, math and technology in the state's schools — 98 percent of which are wired to the Internet. "Our children must be as comfortable using computers as we were riding our bikes," she said. She added that the state would need twice as many computer engineers over the next six years as it does today.
Later this month, Shaheen will lead more than 20 companies on a trade mission to Germany and Denmark. While in Germany, she will attend the world's largest high-tech fair to showcase New Hampshire's companies — firms that have helped spur the state's claim of having the third fastest-growing export rate.
She also cited the need to put more government services online. She soon will appoint a public-private task force to review how state government manages its high-tech resources, and will recommend how the state can use technology more efficiently and improve its services.
Long Live Online Anonymity
Internet privacy advocates are asking a federal court in San Jose, CA, to preserve the right to denounce businesses anonymously online, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The forum in dispute is an electronic chat room created by Internet service providers (ISPs) that enable subscribers to vent about businesses.
Several subpoenas have been issued to ISPs, asking them for the identities of people posting allegedly false or confidential information. But privacy groups say it is just another attempt to stifle free speech. "Anonymous speech has been protected in this country since the writing of the Federalist Papers," said Lauren Gelman, director of public policy for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "If the courts do not step in to protect this cherished right in cyberspace, we will lose it."
Virginia Lawmaker Crafts Model Legislation
Virginia's Internet Privacy Policy Statute, introduced in the state legislature by Democratic Del. Kenneth Plum and passed by the General Assembly in its 2000 session, has been included as model legislation in the 2001 edition of the Council of State Governments' "Suggested State Legislation" guide. Plum's legislation requires every public body in Virginia to develop an Internet privacy policy and to make the policy available in a conspicuous manner on Web sites. The state secretary of technology is required to establish guidelines for the policy.
Pennsylvania Teams Up With Microsoft
The administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, R, is teaming up with Microsoft to unveil its "Connected Learning Community" (CLC) initiative, a range of new online services for the state's teachers. The program will provide comprehensive educational content, tools and resources at a discount rate for teachers, administrators, parents and students via the Internet. Officially kicked off at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Conference on Monday, the program aims to helps schools build a modern technology infrastructure for learning.
Hewlett-Packard Aids Underserved Areas
Hewlett-Packard (H-P) is providing underserved communities with products, services, consulting and cash to the tune of $5 million per community to create its vision of a Digital Village. East Palo Alto, CA, is the kickoff community, and this week, H-P announced two other recipients, the East Baltimore Empowerment Zone and the Southern California Tribal Association.
- by Liza Porteus
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