This week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced a national public-private partnership program to boost broadband adoption and digital literacy. Companies like Microsoft and Best Buy, joined by community-based organizations, will offer courses and opportunities to help more Americans advance their digital skills. The program is part of the chairman’s Broadband Adoption Task Force, announced in May.
On October 7th Governor Brown signed Bill AB 415, authored by Assemblyman Dan Logue (R-Linda), to encourage the use of technology for consults between hospitals. AB 415, "The Telehealth Advancement Act of 2011," aims to make it easier for healthcare providers to use telehealth when treating patients, especially in underserved areas of California.
Signed into law yesterday, Senate Bill 26 by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) aims to eliminate the smuggling and possession of cell phones in California prisons. The law imposes penalties for both smugglers and inmates. It also facilitates the deployment of managed access technology to prevent illicit cell phones from sending or receiving communications within the secure perimeter of a prison. The new law takes effect immediately.
City IT directors, managers and other high-level IT professionals are preparing to attend the 10th annual conference hosted by the Municipal Information Systems Association of California (MISAC). The conference is being held in Monterey next week starting on Sunday, October 2. Nearly 250 local officials and tech company representatives are registered to attend.
Two California high schools won 1st and 3rd place in the Oracle Education Foundation’s ThinkQuest international competition that challenged students to solve problems using technology.
The 2011 winners of the annual Digital Government Achievement Awards have recently been announced by e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government. The awards recognize outstanding agency and department websites and applications that provide online services and information to constituents. This year, California received awards in numerous categories, including these listed on the Center’s website:
Governor Brown last week signed SB 493 revising the Department of General Services (DGS) policy regarding surplus state computers. The bill allows nonprofit organizations to be offered equipment at a discount prior to selling it to the public. Previously, DGS had to offer the first right of refusal for computers to school districts.
Assembly Bill (AB) 172 would put into law the provisions of Governor Schwarzenegger’s Executive Orders of 2009, S-08-09 and S-20-09, which created the state’s reporting transparency website, www.transparency.ca.gov. The bill has passed both houses of the Legislature and currently awaits approval by Governor Brown.
