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A Dose Of Prescription-Drug News
by Chloe Albanesius
A Kansas House committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would ban imports of prescription drugs. The measure, H.B. 2337, would allow residents to purchase medicines only from pharmacies licensed in the United States.
The House Health and Human Services Committee passed the bill by voice vote, and it now moves to the House floor for debate. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, in November authorized the state to join I-Save Rx, the multi-state importation program started by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Blagojevich last week welcomed Vermont to the I-Save Rx program. "Vermont has been a leader in the effort to bring down the cost of prescription medications -- even suing the [Food and Drug Administration] to try to win the right to import prescription drugs," the Democratic governor said in a statement. "By joining I-Save Rx, they're giving their citizens relief now while we all continue to push for long-term change at the federal level."
Also last week, I-Save Rx member Minnesota contacted Indian tribes to see if they would be willing to import medicines for residents if the federal government shutters the state's importation Web site, the Star Tribune reports. "I don't want to overstate it because it was just a wouldn't-this-be-interesting kind of discussion, and they indicated there would be some willingness to look at it," Gov. Tim Pawlenty told the paper.
In Wisconsin, which also is an I-Save Rx member, the Dane County Board approved a resolution that would explore drug imports from Canada, WKOW-TV reports. Officials said the county could save up to $1 million per year.
And the Los Angeles City Council last week voted to study whether to create a Web site to give residents access to Canadian drugs, the Los Angeles Times reports. The site would be operational this summer and be modeled after a similar site in San Francisco.
Information Wants To Be Shared
In Massachusetts, Republican Gov. Mitt Romney last week issued an executive order that seeks to foster easier information sharing among criminal-justice agencies.
The Integrated Criminal Justice Planning Council will be tasked with developing a plan for the electronic exchange of information, which will be used to more easily nab offenders, identify people who are security threats and conduct surveillance. Though state agencies currently have e-management systems, information sharing largely has been handled via hand delivery, fax or traditional mail because those e-management systems cannot work together.
The 19-member council must submit a plan to the governor within six months in an effort to address needs since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "We must eliminate the silos created by antiquated technology," council Chairman and Public Safety Secretary Edward Flynn said.
The National Governors Association, meanwhile, awarded $50,000 grants last week to six states to implement test projects aimed at improving their justice information-sharing systems.
Kentucky will use the money for its electronic fingerprinting program, which automatically submits e-fingerprints to the prosecutors' case-management system. Wisconsin's funding will provide law enforcement personnel with access to current conditions of probation and parole. The other recipients include Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Pennsylvania.
In Tennessee, Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen said Tuesday that the state has received $32 million in additional homeland security funds. Five separate grants will "enhance our abilities to coordinate district homeland security programs, improve communications capabilities, and increase our levels of readiness," Bredesen said in a statement.
About $20.5 million will go to improve the ability of communications system to "talk" to each other, to provide for training, and to enable information sharing. Additional funds will provide for citizen outreach, emergency planning and improved capability to respond to mass casualties.
Doyle Slams GOP Tax Plan, Launches Online Map
Irked by a Republican property-tax plan, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle unveiled an interactive map as part of his official Web site that details education cuts that could result from the plan's implementation.
"It's unfortunate that instead of working with me to pass a responsible property-tax freeze, Republicans have decided to play political games," the Democratic governor said in a statement. "Unfortunately, their games have real consequences."
Doyle slammed the GOP plan for not guaranteeing any new funding for education and pushed his plan, which calls for the state to continue providing two-thirds of the cost of children's education.
States To Collect Online Cigarette Taxes
Michigan and Massachusetts have joined the growing list of states that are attempting to collect unpaid taxes from online cigarette sales.
The Michigan Treasury Department sent more than 500 letters to residents who bought cigarettes from Internet retailers but did not pay state taxes. People who purchase cigarettes in the state from retail locations pay a $2 per pack tax, plus a 6 percent use tax.
"At its most fundamental level, this is an issue of tax fairness," State Treasurer Jay Rising said in a statement. "It is only right that out-of-state vendors, who conduct business only online and at arms length, follow the letter of the law."
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue also is exploring its options for collecting cigarette taxes from online retailers, the Boston Globe reports. The department is reviewing state laws, but said it might need legislative assistance.
Michigan Businesses Want Venture Capital
Michigan startups say access to venture capital is a top priority, according to a report released Monday by Western Michigan University and the market research firm EPIC-MRA. Yet despite the difficulties in acquiring such funds, businesses are largely optimistic about the future.
Researchers polled 1,100 companies, many of which focus on information technology, telecommunications and manufacturing. A majority of respondents said they expect to make capital investments in the next five years, though businesses that are looking to invest now are having trouble locating funds. And about 40 percent said they are currently conducting research and development, with 90 percent of the R&D occurring in Michigan.
The "need for capital to continue growth came through loud and clear in this survey, and the views they expressed illustrate the merit of recent state government proposals to increase the availability of such funds," WMU President Judith Bailey said in a statement.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, Massachusetts Gov. Romney announced plans for a $600 million jobs initiative that he hopes will bring up to 20,000 jobs to the state over five years. The New York Times reports that about $37 million would go toward attracting businesses in fields like academic research, biotechnology and defense technology. Democrats urged Romney not to alienate companies already in Massachusetts with his push to attract out-of-state investments.
Connecticut Governor Chooses New CIO
Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell last week named former technology executive Diane Wallace as the state's new chief information officer. Wallace has served as CIO for the health insurer Aetna and as vice president of information technology for Chicago-based CNA Financial.
Rell, a Republican, said in a statement that Wallace "is precisely the person we need to move the department forward and to accomplish the goals I have set for [the Information Technology Department]: excellence and innovation in the delivery of IT services for all state agencies, and applying the benefits of enhanced technology to public transactions."
Wallace, who would earn $145,000 a year as CIO, must be confirmed by the General Assembly.
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