A hearing on Internet accessibility legislation exploded into a political brawl after Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., lashed out at CEA President Gary Shapiro. Testifying Thursday to the House Communications Subcommittee, Shapiro had said Markey’s bill (HR-3101) could kill start-up CE manufacturers by requiring them to make all products accessible to people with any disability. Republicans defended the CEA executive and scolded Markey. Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., tried to steer the discussion back toward areas of agreement.
A hearing on Internet accessibility legislation exploded into a political brawl after Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., lashed out at CEA President Gary Shapiro. Testifying Thursday to the House Communications Subcommittee, Shapiro had said Markey’s bill (HR-3101) could kill start-up consumer electronics manufacturers by requiring them to make all products accessible to people with any disability. Republicans defended the CEA executive and scolded Markey. Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., tried to steer the discussion back toward areas of agreement.
STANFORD, Calif. -- A veteran FCC economist fleshed out alternatives for auctioning spectrum that broadcasters give up for reuse in mobile broadband. The commission could give out overlay licenses, hold separate auctions to clear and re-license the spectrum, or set up a process to make both changes at the same time, said Evan Kwerel, senior economic adviser to the FCC’s Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, saying he spoke only for himself.
A hearing on Internet accessibility legislation exploded into a political brawl after Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., lashed out at CEA President Gary Shapiro. Testifying Thursday to the House Communications Subcommittee, Shapiro had said Markey’s bill (HR-3101) could kill start-up consumer electronics manufacturers by requiring them to make all products accessible to people with any disability. Republicans defended the CEA executive and scolded Markey. Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., tried to steer the discussion back toward areas of agreement.
E-waste and proposed changes to Energy Star were among the biggest environmental lobbying issues for electronics makers and trade associations in Q1, according to disclosure reports filed with Congress. With Congress taking up several environmental measures, the CEA has been “monitoring to see if they touch on products,” said Amy Dempster, senior manager of government affairs and environmental policy.
On May 25, 2010, Representative Owens (D) introduced H.R. 5375, the Customs De Minimis Adjustment Act of 2010, which would allow the de minimis limit for duty-free entry to be increased.
On May 28, 2010, the House of Representatives amended and passed the Senate amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (aka the Tax Extender bill or Jobs bill).
Utah’s Public Service Commission meets Tuesday to act on an application by Carbon/Emery Telcom for an increase in rates and charges and Universal Service Fund eligibility. The company and the commission have agreed to terms, including an $881,000 increase in the company’s annual intrastate revenue requirement. Under the agreement, Carbon/Emery could raise its base rates for residential and business services from $15.49 per month and $25.49 per month, respectively, to $16.50 and $26.00. The resulting annual revenue increase, estimated at $93,000, would be used in determining the company’s USF eligibility. The company’s total annual USF distribution would rise to slightly more than $1 million. The company agreed not to file for an increase in USF distribution based on 2010 results of operation except in extraordinary financial circumstances.
Free Press and Public Knowledge said they're concerned that wireless is getting special treatment in a notice of inquiry about Chairman Julius Genachowski’s “third way” broadband reclassification proposal. That’s based on discussions they've held at the commission and on a notice on the June meeting. Wireless industry representatives had no comment Friday. Meanwhile, AT&T and USTelecom noted that a majority of House members appear to oppose the reclassification proposal.
The broadband reclassification proposal that FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will circulate Thursday makes clear the agency won’t forebear from its responsibilities under Section 257 of the Telecom Act to file reports on reducing market barriers to small and minority-owned companies, a commission official said. Genachowski’s proposal is for the agency to reclassify broadband transport from a lightly regulated information service to a common carrier service under Title II and forbear from all but six of its 48 sections. Concerns have been raised that the commission would forgo enforcement of the civil rights provision.