Ohio residents will be allowed to vote for a measure that would create an amendment to the state constitution blocking federal health care reform in the state. The measure will be on the November 8 ballot after a successful petition drive by state residents who oppose health care reform. The proposed amendment would constitutionally prohibit [...]
Work on a new telehealth focused broadband network in New York is going forward. The network will link 48 medical facilities in eight counties upstate in order to provide broader access to telehealth in less populated areas of New York. The network is expected to run over 239 miles through the Adirondack region.
After a budget fight that lasted until almost 4am this morning, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a new budget bill that will allow the state government to reopen. The Minnesota government has been closed for almost three weeks as the Republican dominated state legislature fought with Governor Dayton over a variety of budget issues. The [...]
Wisconsin is working to increase its budget transparency with a new measure passed along with the budget. Under the terms of the bill state agencies will be required to post information online anytime they spend over $100. However, government watchdogs are skeptical that the measure will actually result in increased transparency.
Municipal public safety officials have gone to Washington to lobby for a proposed public safety broadband network. The network which would service only public safety, law enforcement and first responders is supported by the Obama administration but members of Congress are less sure of its merits. The network would cost taxpayers nearly $13 billion and [...]
Last year, West Virginia received $126 million in federal stimulus grant money to expand broadband statewide. However, state officials may be scaling back the project resulting in unspent funds. At the same time, the state’s broadband map still lacks critical data about broadband access.
Recall elections are going forward in Wisconsin after yesterday’s Democratic primary. The primary was notable for having 6 fake Democrats on the ballot. The fake democrats were placed on the ballot by the state Republican party to force the primary and give incumbent lawmakers more time ahead of the recall vote. In yesterday’s primary all [...]
Calix, a California based provider of broadband access systems and software has been on a roll lately picking up contract wins nationwide as states begin choosing vendors for stimulus funds awarded for broadband expansion. The company, which offers a unified access portfolio allows customers to deploy virtually any service over fiber- and copper-based network architectures. [...]
New Jersey lawmakers are going through the state budget recently signed by Governor Chris Christie in an attempt to override specific spending items he vetoed. Senate Democrats take issue with 39 items that were removed from the budget including social welfare programs and municipal aid. The bills are expected to go up for a vote [...]
As Minnesota wraps up the seventh day of being without a functioning state government, reports are emerging that despite all the talk about fiscal responsibility the shutdown will end up costing the state and local businesses millions. The Minnesota state government has been shutdown since Friday due to a budget fight between lawmakers and the [...]
