Read Sonia's latest blog posts on her website "Digital Dialogues." Topics include new technologies in communications and medicine, technological innovation, science and politics.
The FCC convened last week at Stanford University to hear Silicon Valley's perspective on "Broadband Network Management Practices." The five commissioners questioned two panels on diverse topics including 18th century economic theory, the 19th century barbershop quartet repertoire, and a haunting tale about the "ghost of Internet future." Mostly, however, the marathon 8 hour discussion was devoted to demonizing the "ghost" of Comcast, since the company declined to appear in person.
California is facing budget problems yet again, and once again state lawmakers are hoping to shake down Internet retailers as a fast source of revenue. A bill introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (AB 153) proposes to force out-of-state businesses to collect tax if they use an in-state company to generate leads. It’s an idea that has been tested in New York and led to significant losses in that state.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has used the state’s IT Strategic Plan as a guiding document to streamline operations, improve efficiencies and accountability across dozens of state agencies. The motive is sound, but whether this effort will succeed remains in doubt.
San Francisco – The California state government has taken important steps to improving the management of public information technology assets, but a new study from the San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute concludes that tougher policy reforms are needed to protect taxpayer dollars and personal privacy.
Anytime immigration comes up in public debate, you can be sure there will be arguments that America should tighten its borders. However, in a global world where capital moves at will, and investors can and do take their money out of the U.S. to fund innovative ideas overseas, the concept of attracting people with entrepreneurial talent to America makes a lot of sense.
Technology
