FCC Commissioner Michael Copps urged more participation by tribes in broadband and other proceedings at the FCC. “Our national broadband plan, if it is to really work for the people, cannot be another one of those ‘inside’ jobs,” he said in a speech Tuesday to the Indian Telecommunications Initiative in Rapid City, S.D. “We want, we need, we are asking for your input.” Copps said he’s working with Chairman Julius Genachowski to make sure tribal concerns are heard in the FCC’s coming workshops and other forums as the commission develops the national broadband plan. “We must also make sure that you have sufficient notice, as well as the facilities and the means needed to take advantage of all of these opportunities to participate.” Copps also urged tribes to speak out on other telecom issues, including universal service, tower siting and public safety communications. The FCC wants to hear about TV and radio coverage problems and representation of American Indians in the media, too, he said.
On July 24, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano unveiled five new efficiency initiatives, marking the fourth milestone in the Department-wide Efficiency Review launched in March. According to DHS, the new initiatives will streamline operations, improve customer service, and help stretch homeland security dollars. (DHS press release, dated 07/24/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1248468743775.shtm.)
At a meeting in Washington, D.C., Commerce Secretary Locke listed his five priorities for improving the trade fundamentals of the U.S. as (1) enhancing trade promotion and the support we provide to U.S. exporters, (2) pursuing visa reform, (3) undertaking a review of export controls, (4) strengthening international intellectual property protections, and (5) promoting more intergovernmental cooperation in support of U.S. exporters. (07/22/09 Commerce Secretary speech available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008221 )
The NTIA and the RUS should change the broadband- stimulus notice of funds availability to promote minority and small business participation more and to lower broadband prices for vulnerable populations, the Broadband Opportunity Coalition said in a letter Wednesday to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Projects that would serve large numbers of low-income households or promote rural deployment or adoption on tribal lands should receive higher priority than other rural efforts, the coalition said. When the RUS reviews applications for the Broadband Initiatives Program, affordability should count for as much as Internet speed, and projects to give access to consumers with scant credit history and don’t require large deposits should get an advantage, the coalition said. A Diversity Advisory Committee should be formed to provide guidance during reviews of loan and grant applications and to reduce the influence of unconscious reviewer biases, it said.
On July 7, 2009, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security held a hearing on strengthening U.S.-Pakistan relations.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps toured two D.C. health facilities Tuesday that could benefit from increased availability of broadband, beginning a national tour to look at the need for broadband in health services. At his first stop, Copps discussed the uses of technology with the staff of the Healthy Baby Project, which provides prenatal care to low-income pregnant women. Project staffers said broadband helps their work because they use Facebook and e-mail to communicate parenting class times and other information to mothers. Afterward, Copps went to Family and Medical Counseling Services, where he discussed the importance of electronic medical records, which “improves care while cutting time and costs in patient administration,” he said. Copps will be in South Dakota next month, where he will discuss the role of broadband in tribal health care facilities, he said. The commission is developing a national broadband plan that is scheduled to come out next year.
FCC Commissioner Michael Copps toured two D.C. health facilities Tuesday that could benefit from increased availability of broadband, beginning a national tour to look at the need for broadband in health services. At his first stop, Copps discussed the uses of technology with the staff of the Healthy Baby Project, which provides prenatal care to low-income pregnant women. Project staffers said broadband helps their work because they use Facebook and e-mail to communicate parenting class times and other information to mothers. Afterward, Copps went to Family and Medical Counseling Services, where he discussed the importance of electronic medical records, which “improves care while cutting time and costs in patient administration,” he said. Copps will be in South Dakota next month, where he will discuss the role of broadband in tribal health care facilities, he said. The commission is developing a national broadband plan that is scheduled to come out next year.
The Government Accountability Office has issued its report to congressional requestors entitled "Aviation Security: Better Data and Targeted FAA Efforts Needed to Identify and Address Safety Issues of Small Air Cargo Carriers." (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09614.pdf)
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications plans to post job announcements on the USA Jobs website in coming weeks for 10 regional coordinator positions at the GS-14 level. Those hired will lead the office’s support efforts with federal, state, local and tribal bodies to advance the adoption of national emergency response and emergency communications policies, programs, and practices, the agency said. Each coordinator will be assigned a region.
Harlin McEwen, the Public Safety Spectrum Trust’s chairman, said the departure of Cyren Call as adviser to his group has been a “double-edged” sword for the organization. Speaking Wednesday to the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council’s governing board, he also FCC work on rules for a 700 MHz D-block auction seems to be on hold. McEwen said he has no idea what approach the commission will ultimately adopt.