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Energized For Economic Growth In Indiana
by Maureen Sirhal
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon on Thursday is expected to sign legislation that is part of an initiative designed to stimulate economic development in several key areas, including advanced manufacturing and high technology.
Cleared by lawmakers last week, the measure, H.B. 1001, would authorize tax credits and grants designed to spur investment and job growth. It would allocate $5 million annually to expand the state's I-Light fiber-optic network connections among research universities and colleges. The bill also would earmark $50 million over the next five years for tax credits to promote venture-capital spending and would create a fund to disperse tech research grants to universities and companies.
The measure also includes provisions that would: allocate $9 million over two years to develop technology parks for assisting startup companies; invest $290 million over two years in new money for elementary and secondary public schools; extend the state's research and development tax credit until 2013; and authorize $25 million over five years to assess workforce skills and match skilled workers with jobs.
"Last year, two branches of government and two political parties worked together to restructure the state's tax system," O'Bannon said in a statement last week. "That set the stage for our Energize Indiana plan to work and, again, two branches of government and two political parties have made that possible with their good ideas."
The bill represents several key portions of the Energize Indiana initiative that O'Bannon originally proposed in his State of the State address. However, Senate Republicans objected to the cost of the initial plan and ultimately passed a compromise version worth about $540 million, less than half of what O'Bannon initially sought. The money will come from Indiana's share of the national tobacco settlement, the state's general fund and federal economic-development grants.
In other state legislative news, Florida House lawmakers failed to schedule a vote on a bill to authorize the state's membership in a multistate sales-tax program before the session officially ended last week. According to a legislative source, the measure, S.B. 1776, could be approved in a special session that has been convened to pass the state's fiscal 2004 budget.
Broadband By The Bay
San Francisco may be suffering from the fallout of the dot-com depression, but it remains the nation's No. 1 city for the use of high-speed Internet services, according to a new poll sponsored by America Online.
About 55 percent of adults in San Francisco access the Internet via broadband connections, according to the survey, which was conducted online by Opinion Research Corporation International. Another 15 percent are planning to get broadband in the next 12 months, the poll said.
The city's top ranking was based on several factors: the number of people using broadband connections at home and the length of time that they have owned them; the number of people who plan to purchase broadband in the next 12 months; the number of hours broadband homes are online; and the various online activities conducted by people with broadband connections.
The other top finishers were: Tampa, Fla.; Boston; Houston; Charlotte, N.C.; Los Angeles; New York; Raleigh, N.C.; Orlando, Fla.; and Seattle.
Iowa May Sell High-Speed Network
Iowa lawmakers are contemplating selling the state's high-speed network that links many schools and universities, The Des Moines Register reports. Legislators voted on Thursday to create a process for taking bids on the Iowa Communications Network, and that process could lead to a sale in two years.
With revenue shortfalls, lawmakers are facing difficulty finding the funds to maintain the network. Supporters of the network argue that it has been a valuable tool for education and other government agencies, given its interactive video capabilities and use as a conduit for high-speed Internet access. Others question whether a sale would be profitable.
A last-minute Senate bill would establish a State Network Privatization Board to take purchase proposals from qualified vendors. The board would select a buyer by Oct. 1, 2005. It is unclear whether Gov. Tom Vilsack would support such a plan.
Showcasing Security In The Sunshine State
Science Applications International Corp. showcased new security technologies to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush during his tour of the firm's Engineering Technology Group headquartered in Orlando.
One such application, known as port and harbor interactive simulation, provides real-time views of ports and harbors. SAIC also highlighted new robotics technologies that are "smarter" or more autonomous thanks to behavior software.
Just last week, Bush announced that the U.S. Homeland Security Department has awarded Florida $54 million to help the state obtain equipment and conduct training exercises for emergency "first responders." Florida also will receive $8.4 million in reimbursements for domestic security measures taken during heightened homeland security alerts. The funds are part of a $1.5 billion award to states and localities for domestic preparedness initiatives.
Former CIO Joins Tech Consulting Firm
John Thomas Flynn, a former chief information officer (CIO) in two states, has joined the government-technology consulting firm ICG Government.
Flynn served as the first CIO to Massachusetts and later was appointed CIO by California Gov. Pete Wilson. He joins former Virginia Technology Secretary Don Upson and former Defense Department deputy CIO, the founders of ICG.
"John knows technology, he knows government, and he knows the power and importance of bringing the two together," Upson said in a statement. "He fits our team and enhances ICG's ability to provide effective, focused support to government and industry clients."
Flynn also is a member of the General Accounting Office's Information Technology Board and has been providing consulting services for college and university presidents in an effort to craft a CIO model for higher education institutions.
Governors To Host E-Government Series
The National Governors Association (NGA) is planning a roundtable on e-government initiatives this month, with Govs. Paul Patton of Kentucky and Sonny Perdue of Georgia as participants.
Panelists will address the ways that state governments must transform their business operations in order to seize the benefits of technology products.
Other participants at the May 28 forum will include: Jim Lientz, Georgia's chief operating officer; Kentucky CIO Aldona Valicenti; and Peter Wiley, director of the Office of Management and Consulting at NGA.
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