Internet

Announces formation of Broadband Advisory Council

May 14, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today unveiled the Commonwealth's first broadband availability map, available online through the Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance. The map is an important resource that will give policy makers, local government leaders, and service providers a more detailed picture of broadband coverage in Virginia as they work to provide "last-mile" broadband in their communities.    » read more »

Latest 3D technology brings emergency locations to life

2009-05-13 -- DETROIT -- OnStar builds on its reputation for trailblazing emergency services by tapping technology from Microsoft Corp. to provide OnStar advisors with critical 3D details to more accurately guide first responders to hard-to-find or rural locations.    » read more »

Bill to Ensure Massachusetts Captures Funding Opportunities

BOSTON– Monday, April 27, 2009 – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has filed legislation to help leverage federal economic recovery funds to boost broadband services throughout Massachusetts.

“This bill builds on our commitment to provide broadband access to all areas of the Commonwealth, and positions the state for long-term economic growth,” said Governor Patrick. “This effort will also help streamline state zoning and permitting rules to expedite the availability of this enabling technology.”    » read more »

April 20, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin today announced the launch of a new Web page comprising West Virginia Recovery Act (Stimulus) Information at www.recovery.wv.gov.

This Web site will provide constituents with up-to-date information about the stimulus dollars that the State of West Virginia is and will be receiving from the federal government through the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.    » read more »

Washington, DC - 04/15/2009 - The 2008 election was the first in which more than half the voting-age population used the Internet for political purposes. Some 55% of all adults – and 74% of all Internet users – said they went online for news and information about the election or to communicate with others about the race.

This is among the findings of a new report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, which also found that social media platforms such as blogs, social networking sites and video-sharing sites played a key role in 2008 as voters went online to share their views with others and try to mobilize them to their cause. Among some of the key activities and technologies that grew in prominence in the election:    » read more »

Launches Whistleblower.Illinois.gov to crack down on corruption

CHICAGO – April 15, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is urging government employees and taxpayers to demand integrity and honesty in state government by blowing the whistle on corruption. To advance this effort, Governor Quinn is launching Whistleblower.Illinois.gov, an interactive website that allows watchdogs to easily report suspected government corruption.    » read more »

Website Includes Latest CEO Pay Data, Bailout Bonuses

April 14, 2009 -- (Washington) - Retention bonuses. Golden coffins. Turbo-charged pension plans. Hefty severance packages. Lavish “executive physicals.” These are some of the outrageous CEO pay practices highlighted in the AFL-CIO’s 2009 Executive PayWatch website launched today at www.paywatch.org.

Despite the worst economic slump in decades, companies continue to heap millions of dollars in pay, bonuses and perquisites on CEO for poor performance, according to the latest data for 2008. The 2009 PayWatch site highlights 10 of these worst CEO pay practices through case studies and includes a comprehensive database of new CEO pay figures.    » read more »

Financial Industry Accounts for 93 Percent of 285 Million Compromised Records; Most Breaches Avoidable if Proper Precautions Taken

April 15, 2009 -- BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - More electronic records were breached in 2008 than the previous four years combined, fueled by a targeting of the financial services industry and a strong involvement of organized crime, according to the "2009 Verizon Business Data Breach Investigations Report" (DBIR) released Wednesday (April 15).    » read more »

Recovery Act Presents 'Unprecedented Opportunity'

April 13, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - The $7 billion-plus broadband stimulus program contained in the nation's economic recovery act presents an "unprecedented opportunity" to extend advanced broadband networks across the nation and to stimulate jobs and the economy, Verizon said Monday (April 13). But, to maximize that opportunity, the program should focus on two key objectives: extending broadband Internet connections to unserved areas, and addressing demand-side factors that hamper growth of broadband subscriptions, such as the lack of a computer in many households.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2009 -- The number of visitors to IRS.gov is up more than 24 percent compared with last year, and more taxpayers rely on the Internal Revenue Service’s online resources to get answers to tax questions on the economic recovery legislation and to prepare and file tax returns accurately and timely.

More than 138 million taxpayers already visited the IRS Web site this year, up from about 111 million from the same period last year.    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty unveiled a new state website today that shines the light on state government spending. The site provides a powerful new way for citizens to easily examine and follow money spent by state government.

“Online, all-the-time access to information is a powerful tool that will empower citizens to help hold government accountable,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Taxpayers are paying the bills and they should have the ability to easily look at the state’s checkbook. I encourage citizens to use this website to become watchdogs and help us make government more efficient and effective.”    » read more »

Using GIS technology, Oregonians will be able to track where and how stimulus dollars are invested.

March 23, 2009 -- (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today announced a new feature of the state’s recovery Web site that provides the public with the ability to track how state and local governments are spending federal stimulus dollars provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).    » read more »

Launches Web site to empower taxpayers to hold government accountable for use of funds

March 19, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today unveiled the Florida Office of Economic Recovery’s Web site that allows the people of Florida to review state and local governments’ use of federal funds coming to Florida as a result of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The launch of the FlaRecovery.com Web site comes during Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of Florida’s dedication to making state and local government more accessible to the public.    » read more »

Mapping and Inventory Project for Recovery Act Funding

March 18, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The ConnectME Authority expects to apply for Recovery Act funds to further the Administration’s goal of expanding broadband throughout Maine. Preparing for such an application, the Authority has recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified independent contractor to develop a statewide comprehensive assessment of current broadband service and infrastructure deployment.

An update of broadband availability inventory in the State is an essential part of the ConnectME Authority’s preparation for grant applications from the federal Recovery Act. The inventory will enable the Authority to focus State and federal funds where they are most needed.    » read more »

Gives Kentuckians window into how stimulus dollars are spent

March 18, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today unveiled the new “Kentucky at Work” Web site – a virtual information center that will give Kentuckians access to how federal stimulus dollars are being spent in the Commonwealth.

“One of the cornerstones of the federal recovery effort is to be transparent and accountable with every dollar being spent in Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “This new site is one important way we can be transparent and accountable with the dollars we are using in the commonwealth to save and create jobs.”    » read more »