From the Dispatch

FCC's New National Broadband Plan: Implications for State Policy

Fabiola Carrion — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:23:55 -0700

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this week unveiled the long-awaited plan with a vast array of information and recommendations to address these problems, as well as approaches to maximize the economic and social gains from broadband adoption.

Networking the Green Economy: How Broadband and Related Technologies Can Build a Green Economic Future

Fabiola Carrion — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:11 -0800

Deploying broadband and related communication technologies, including smart meters in the home and smart grids to upgrade our power grid, have the potential of revolutionizing energy management and economic development, according to a new report by the Progressive States Network released in association with our partners, Communications Workers of America, the Sierra Club and the Blue Green Alliance. Last Thursday, leaders from those organizations convened at a panel on Capitol Hill, hosted by U.S. Representative Edward Markey, Chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and joined by Nick Sinai, Director of Energy and Environment for the FCC's Broadband Strategy Plan, to discuss the findings of the report entitled Networking the Green Economy

Broadband and Recovery - the ARRA and State Policies in 2010

Fabiola Carrion — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:02:05 -0800

This Dispatch highlights the trends in the initial grants when it comes to mapping, deployment and adoption broadband, outline broadband policies that states have been pursuing (using federal and state funding), and why these broadband investments are so critical to the long-term economy of our states.

State Job Creation Strategies Part I: Finding the Money and Investing in Human Capital and Physical Infrastructure

Nathan Newman — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:59:28 -0800

As this Dispatch will highlight, the first step is to fund jobs that support long-term economic competitiveness, notably by investing in people and physical infrastructure. While the economic climate for profit-making business opportunities is more limited, investments in education, health care, transit and energy efficiency can create immediate jobs while strengthening building blocks for long-term growth.

Washington State Legislature Passes Legislation Aimed at Increasing both Access and Adoption of Broadband

PSN — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:10:00 -0700

With the passage of HB 1701 the Washington State legislature once again demonstrated its understandingthat when combating the digital divide states must not just addressaccess issues, but must also focus on dealing with the barriers to broadband adoption by individuals.

Making Broadband a Key Part of States' Economic Recovery

PSN — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:06:57 -0700

This Dispatch will outline how funds allocated in the ARRA aim to support broadband initiatives and how states can leverage broadband to create efficiencies, increase opportunities and begin to bridge a major resource divide in our country by implementing progressive broadband initiatives.

Taking Action to Protect PEG Public Access Stations- Illinois Investigating AT&T

PSN — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:57:14 -0800

AT&T's new cutting-edge television service, U-Verse, is creating frustration for community programming advocates and being investigated by both state and federal officials. After receiving a large number of complaints, Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, launched an investigation into the U-Verse system's underminging of access to PEG channels (i.e. Public Education and Government stations).

Feds Approve Broadband Data Improvement Act

PSN — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:59:50 -0700

Congress has passed — and President Bush has signed — the Broadband Data Improvement Act. The Act, which had been pushed by Senate Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and supported by a coalition of organizations, such as the Communications Workers of America,has as its explicit purpose "to improve the quality of Federal and State data regarding the availability and quality of broadband servicesand to promote the deployment of affordable broadband services to allparts of the Nation."

A First Look at How McCain and Obama's Policies Would Affect the States

PSN — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:55:59 -0700

There are stark differences between the two presidential campaigns' approaches to federal-state relationships. Differences range from the amount of funding appropriated for programs run by the states to whether the candidates would strengthen or weaken state regulatory authority.

Statewide Video Franchising Legislation: Bad Bills in Tennessee & Louisiana, and an Innovative Approach in Minnesota

PSN — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:31:07 -0700

Legislatorsin both Tennessee and Louisiana have heavily promoted statewide videofranchising legislation this session. Just this past week the Tennessee House approved HB 1421, the "Competitive Cable and Video Services Act," while Louisiana legislators have introduced multiple statewide franchising bills, with SB 807 having the most momentum. The common thread between each Louisiana bill is that they are all bad for consumers.