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Wisconsin City Backs Medicine Imports
by Chloe Albanesius
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle on Wednesday applauded the city of Oak Creek for approving a plan to let its citizens purchase prescription drugs from Canada.
"Their plan, which is estimated to save the city $200,000 annually, gives another option to citizens who often have to choose between food and medicine," the Democratic governor said in a statement. Oak Creek, a city of 30,000 near Milwaukee, has "taken an important first step" to offer "meaningful assistance" to patients coping with high drug costs, Doyle added. "We will continue to look for more innovative ways to help people safely afford their prescription drugs."
In related news, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski last month requested a federal waiver to let Oregon residents import drugs from Canada, according to The Portland Business Journal.
Nebraska Official Opposes Contract With Indian Firm
A Nebraska state senator last week called for the state's Labor Department to cancel a contract it awarded to a company based in India to upgrade the state's computer system.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the agency awarded TCS America, a branch of India's Tata Consultancy Services, a two-year, $7.9 million contract. Indian workers will be employed to ensure that the department's computer system can better handle unemployment benefits.
"We cannot look the people of Nebraska in the eye and say we're going to create American jobs when our own state government is sending jobs to India or bringing in foreigners to do work here," said state Sen. Matt Connealy, a Democrat running for Congress this year.
Labor Department spokesman Chris Triebsch said TCS will have to hire 25 percent of its workers locally and perform the work on site. Connealy contends that the state overlooked U.S. bidders whose offers were less expensive.
But "the company that offers the lowest price doesn't always offer the services that you are looking for," Triebsch noted. Four approved applicants' prices ranged from $6 million to $13.5 million.
Meanwhile, AP reports that Minnesota residents stand to gain from the "outsourcing" of U.S. jobs. The economic consulting firm Global Insights estimates that 1,854 jobs were created in 2003 due to outsourcing, and the firm expects 6,700 new jobs in Minnesota by 2008 because of the trend that some argue allows U.S. companies to remain competitive.
And Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry on Tuesday assailed the Bush administration for the continued movement of U.S. jobs overseas and vowed to crack down on tax breaks for companies with offices offshore, according to AP. "My value is good, old-fashioned four words: 'Made in the USA,'" Kerry said during a campaign stop in North Carolina.
Illinois Is Finalist For Security Award
Illinois' team program on responding to weapons of mass destruction is one of five finalists for a homeland security award from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University and the technology company Mitretek Systems, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Wednesday.
The program, which now enables the state to respond to an incident within 60 to 90 minutes of notification, is "a critical part of our comprehensive plan for homeland security prevention, preparedness and response," Blagojevich said in a statement.
Illinois officials will make a presentation at Harvard University on Sept. 13, and the winner will be announced this fall. The awards were designed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in an effort to recognize the most effective security programs.
In Texas, meanwhile, Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday outlined his plan to deter terrorism during a tour of the Port of Beaumont. The Republican governor called for improved communication and enhanced coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Identifying risk and protecting key assets is also critical, he said. In addition, the state needs to enhance its infrastructure and equipment stockpiles, Perry added.
"Our best defense is a good offense of increased security, better risk detection and improved intelligence communication," Perry said in a press release.
Perry's comments come after The Dallas Morning News on Monday published its own report that found dozens of cases where the state's 15,000 homeland security purchases had little to do with terrorism. For example, areas like Harris County and San Antonio spent $62,300 on flashlights, $52,400 on traffic cones and $59,600 on binoculars.
Some jurisdictions did not receive money because they failed to submit vulnerability assessments. They include Somervell County, home to TXU Energy's Comanche Peak nuclear-power plant.
Indiana DNA Lab To Receive $2 million Grant
The Indiana State Police Laboratory Division's Forensic DNA Unit will receive about $2 million in federal funding to improve the unit's use of DNA to solve crimes.
The funds will allow the police "to clear much of their criminal-testing backlog and bring justice to those deserving," said Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., who helped secure the federal money. The unit will use the grant to pay for personnel, equipment, supplies and contractual needs. It will "greatly increase the efficiency of the state police labs and make available the latest technology and resources to our technicians and staff," Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan said in a statement.
In other news, New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey signed an executive order Wednesday designating three "innovation zones" in Newark, New Brunswick and Camden. The order calls on the state's economic development authority and the Commission on Science and Technology to work with other state agencies to direct resources within the zones.
The areas are located near three universities, which the Democratic governor said he hopes will lead to partnerships between businesses and universities and spur research and development. Businesses located in the zones will be eligible for targeted financial incentives from the state. In addition, the economic development authority will build and manage commercialization centers to provide space and support services for startup companies.
Connecticut Delays Computer Consolidation Plan
Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell said Wednesday that the state will not push the previous administration's decision to consolidate all state computer personnel into the Information and Technology Department.
The state was supposed to have transferred all of its 350 employees under the direct management of the department by Oct. 1.
"Instead of consolidation, I want to focus on selecting a new commissioner for the department," Rell, a Republican who became governor in July when Gov. John Rowland resigned amid corruption allegations, said in a statement. The commissioner would review current operations.
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