February 2009

Google, others fret over digital TV 'translators'

Google and other technology giants have complained to the Federal Communications Commission about its proposal to offer a new replacement "translator" service for TV broadcasters meant to help them shore up coverage following the digital transition in February. Google, Microsoft, and Dell filed comments with the FCC last week, raising concerns that the move could interfere with their planned use of unlicensed "white spaces" wireless spectrum that will soon become available. The companies' concerns highlight yet another potential wrinkle for what has already been a troubled prelude to the digital TV transition. Concerns have been raised that the transition is coming too soon, and may therefore leave many TV viewers without reception.

Sen Judd Gregg (R-NH) considered for Sec of Commerce

Sen Judd Gregg (R-NH) confirmed on Friday that President Barack Obama may nominate him to head the Commerce Department. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama would pick a commerce secretary within days but said a final decision had not been made. Up until a few days ago, Silicon Valley executive John Thompson, the chairman and chief executive of Symantec, had been described as the leading candidate. If Sen Gregg became commerce secretary, New Hampshire's Democratic governor, John Lynch, could name a Democrat to replace him in the Senate. If that occurred and comic-turned-politician Al Franken survives a court challenge to his apparent narrow victory in Minnesota, the Democrats would have a 60-seat majority in the 100-member Senate, enough to stop Republican procedural roadblocks.

CBC wants African-American as Commerce secretary

The Congressional Black Caucus is lobbying President Barack Obama to pick African-American technology executive John Thompson to be his commerce secretary. Thompson is chairman and chief executive officer of Symantec, the software security company best known for its Norton computer protection products. He is expected to step down in early April. In a letter to Obama, the caucus members stressed that Thompson is the only African-American leading a major technology company. The letter, sent last week, also lists the seven black Cabinet members chosen by President Clinton during his two terms. Obama has selected four African-Americans for Cabinet positions.

Daschle-Hindery Connection Probed

Thomas A. Daschle, nominated to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, did not pay more than $128,000 in taxes over three years, a revelation that poses a potential obstacle to his Senate confirmation. The back taxes, along with $12,000 in interest and penalties, involved unreported consulting fees, questionable charitable contributions, and a car and driver provided by a private equity firm run by entrepreneur and longtime Democratic Party donor Leo J. Hindery Jr. Daschle paid the back taxes six days before his first Senate confirmation hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The Finance Committee, however, has jurisdiction over his nomination. The central issue for Daschle hinges on what has been an obscure -- but financially rewarding -- aspect of his post-Senate life: his role as chairman of the advisory board of Hindery's InterMedia Advisors. Daschle and two other former senators -- Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) and Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) -- headed the board and were rewarded handsomely for the investments InterMedia made in small niche media corporations. Founded as InterMedia Partners, the New York-based firm was recast in March 2005 when Daschle was brought in as an investor and head of the advisory board. That group consists of other major Democratic figures, including Cappy R. McGarr, who runs a Dallas investment firm and served as Daschle's political treasurer, and Bernard L. Schwartz, a former chief executive of Loral Corp. and a major Democratic donor.

Sprint Nextel VP To Join NTIA

Apparently, National Telecommunications and Information Administration employees have been told that Anna Gomez, who is currently vice president for government affairs at Sprint Nextel, has been tapped for the role of deputy assistant secretary. Gomez worked on President Barack Obama's transition team as the U.S. Trade Representative Lead and was deputy chief of the FCC's international bureau. She also previously served as deputy chief of staff for the National Economic Council and was an associate at the law firm Arnold & Porter. In her role at NTIA, Gomez will answer to the yet-to-be-named Commerce secretary and will be a key administration voice on the nationwide switch to digital television.

Leibowitz to take over FTC reins shortly

President Obama's swearing in was more than a week ago, but the Federal Trade Commission is still in the hands of Chairman Bill Kovacic, a Republican. According to sources at the agency, Chairman Kovacic was told this week that his replacement will be taking over the reins shortly. Though not officially announced, it could be the worst-kept secret in Washington that Commissioner Jon Leibowitz is expected to be moving into the larger chairman's office shortly. appointment is expected within a week. Who the president will appoint to fill the current vacancy on the commission is still unknown, but likely picks include Leslie Overton, a partner at Jones Day law firm, and Ann Malester, a former FTC lawyer now a partner at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. Antitrust lawyers involved with the transition said the appointment will "reflect the diversity of the antitrust bar."

Clinton Science Czar Offers Ideas To Obama

Neal Lane, a former science adviser to President Bill Clinton and former National Science Foundation director, wants the Obama administration to make science and technology a higher priority than it has been in recent years. Naming Harvard physicist John Holdren as head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy was a good start, he said in a paper co-authored by Kirstin Matthews, a policy fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. Their recommendations include: ensuring federal policy is grounded in the best scientific and technical information; enhancing federal funding for science and engineering and research and development in high-priority areas; and mandating a comprehensive review of all federal programs in K-12 education and implementing major reforms, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math. Meanwhile, Christopher Bronk, a Baker Institute technology fellow, believes the new administration should place a renewed emphasis on information technology. He recommends that the State Department create an entity to engage in digital public diplomacy.

MMTC Names Deborah Taylor Tate to Board of Directors

The Minority Media & Telecommunications Council has named former Federal Communications Commission member Deborah Taylor Tate Maurita Cooley, a telecommunications attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine, and to its board of directors.

Blagojevich convicted, thrown out of office

By a vote of 59-0, the Illinois State Senate decided to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) from office. Although Gov Blagojevich appeared before the Senate to defend himself in a speech, the Senators were unmoved in the face of evidence from witnesses and secret wiretaps that appeared to show that Blagojevich schemed to profit from his official actions, including an alleged effort to sell Obama's former Senate seat and to force the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial writers by threatening to withhold $150 million in state money for Wrigley Field, owned by the Tribune Company. Senators noted that Blagojevich refused to be questioned under oath about the 13 alleged misdeeds that House prosecutor David Ellis called an unmistakable pattern of abuse of power.

Copps to Serve as FCC's Defense Commissioner

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps will also serve as Defense Commissioner which directs the homeland security, national security and emergency preparedness, and defense activities of the Commission. The duties and responsibilities of the Defense Commissioner include: 1) representing the Commission in interagency matters pertaining to public safety, homeland security, national security, emergency preparedness, disaster management, and defense and related matters, including matters pertaining to continuity of the essential functions of the Commission under emergency conditions; 2) serving as the principal point of contact for the Commission on all matters pertaining to the Department of Homeland Security; 3) serving as a member of the Joint Telecommunications Resources Board (JTRB); 4) developing emergency programs covering service provision by wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers and broadcast, cable, and satellite facilities, as well as radio frequency assignment, investigation, and enforcement; and 5) assuming the duties of the Commission under certain emergencies.

Benton

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