Universal Service
Telecom AM: Senate Appropriations Approves Bill Changing Universal Service
Education Technology
NYT: Schools May Get Computers, But Can They
Afford to Keep Them?
Campaign Finance Reform
NYT: Cincinnati Tests Limits On Spending In Campaigns
Encryption
NYT: FBI Halts Its Push for Encryption Access Legislation
Merger
WP: CyberCash to Acquire Calif. Software Maker
WSJ: WholeEarth Networks LLC Purchased for $9 Million
WSJ: CyberCash Agrees to Buy ICverify for $57 Million
Philanthropy
WP: Honoring Those Who Improve the Lives of Others
** Universal Service **
Title: Senate Appropriations Approves Bill Changing Universal Service
Source: Telecom AM
http://www.telecommunications.com/am/
Issue: Universal Service
Description: The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill yesterday
that "would require
the FCC to propose by May 8 a revised administration for its new universal
service programs and explain and justify their funding mechanisms. Citing the
General Accounting Office's finding that the FCC overstepped its legal
authority
in creating the current structure, the bill would require the Commission to
replace the three universal service organizations -- the Universal
Service Administrative Company and its subsidiaries, the Rural Health Care
Corporation and the SLC -- with a single entity." The bill also would require a
report detailing how the programs will be paid for.
** Education Technology **
Title: Schools May Get Computers, But Can They Afford to Keep Them?
Source: New York Times (CyberTimes)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/03/cyber/education/18education.html
Author: Pamela Mendels
Issue: Education Technology
Description: According to a recent report, "School Technology; Five School
Districts' Experiences in Funding Technology Programs," once computers are
in place in a school, officials often lack the funding for other technology
necessities, such as teacher training, computer maintenance and the
replacement of equipment that is out-of-date. Susan J. Lawless, one of the
authors of the 77-page report, published by the General Accounting Office,
said: "Looking forward for the ongoing costs of technology -- staffing,
training, recurring costs of upgrading and replacing equipment -- the
districts have not been able to put together a stable funding source."
Moreover, Lawless said, schools are facing the problem of being financially
strapped and having to pay for more pressing needs. "Well, gee, do you hire
someone to fix the computers when they break down or do you hire more
teachers?" Lawless said, summarizing the dilemma that school officials
confront. "Naturally, the choice is to hire more teachers." The report
focused on a cross-section of ordinary school districts -- from urban
Seattle, Washington, to rural Roswell, New Mexico, to suburban Columbus,
Ohio -- and how they have attempted to wire their classrooms. "Hopefully the
message of the report is some insight into the real-life issues confronting
schools and school districts as they are incorporating technology into their
curriculums," Lawless said.
** Campaign Finance Reform **
Title: Cincinnati Tests Limits On Spending In Campaigns
Source: New York Times (A14)
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/national/cincinnati-spending-limit...
Author: Katherine Q. Seelye
Issue: Campaign Finance Reform
Description: In Cincinnati, the question put forth to a federal appeals
court yesterday is whether limits on the amount of money a political
candidate can spend on their campaign would violate the candidates right to
free speech. The decision in this case could change the way political
campaigns are conducted in the United States. The case under review is a
landmark 1976 Supreme Court decision that "equated unlimited campaign
spending with free speech." Since that time, the Supreme Court's decision
has aided in the defeat of numerous attempts to reduce the influence of
money in politics. No decision is expected in the Cincinnati case for months.
** Encryption **
Title: FBI Halts Its Push for Encryption Access Legislation
Source: New York Times (CyberTimes)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/03/cyber/articles/18encrypt.html
Author: Jeri Clausing
Issue: Encryption
Description: On Tuesday, a Justice Department official told Congress that
the Federal Bureau of Investigation has, for the moment, joined the White
House in retreating from legislation that would give "law enforcers access
to encrypted computer data and communications." Robert S. Litt, principle
associate deputy attorney general, said: "We are all looking at this point
not to impose mandatory legislation and will work cooperatively with
industry to find whatever solutions are available." When Litt was asked by
Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) if he was representing the FBI as well, he
replied, "Yes, sir."
** Merger **
Title: CyberCash to Acquire Calif. Software Maker
Source: Washington Post (C11)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-03/18/104l-031898-idx.html
Author: Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Issue: Merger
Description: CyberCash Inc. a Reston, VA based company that makes technology
which allows merchants to accept payments over the Internet, announced
yesterday that it will acquire ICverify, an Oakland, CA based company that
makes credit-card processing software, for about $57 million in cash and
stock. Through the acquisition, Cybercash hopes to expand its product line
and offer customers software that handles conventional and Internet-based
transactions.
Title: WholeEarth Networks LLC Purchased for $9 Million
Source: Wall Street Journal (B5)
http://wsj.com/
Issue: Merger
Description: GST Telecommunications agreed to acquire one of the Internet's
pioneers, Whole Earth Networks LLC, for $9 million in cash and the
assumption of certain liabilities. The San Francisco Internet provider has
14,500 subscribers and is the current home of the Well, one of the
Internet's most vocal and vibrant on-line communities. As part of the deal,
Whole Earth Networks will keep its name and become part of GST's
data-services operation.
Title: CyberCash Agrees to Buy ICverify for $57 Million
Source: Wall Street Journal (B6)
http://wsj.com/
Issue: Merger
Description: CyberCash, an Internet electronic-payment company, said it
agreed to acquire ICverify, a closely held maker of software for retailers
to process payments, in a cash-and-stock deal valued at roughly $57 million.
CyberCash said the shareholders of Icverify will receive $16 million in cash
and 2.3 million shares of CyberCash. The move will allow CyberCash and
Icverify to raid each other's customer lists to build business. It will also
allow the companies to offer a more complete product line, giving merchants
automated payment plans to use both on the Internet and actual stores.
** Philanthropy **
Title: Honoring Those Who Improve the Lives of Others
Source: Washington Post (B1,B4)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-03/18/165l-031898-idx.html
Author: Cindy Loose
Issue: Philanthropy
Description: Last night five people were honored by the Community Foundation
for the National Capitol Region in Washington DC. The foundation, which
provides grants to grass-roots agencies, wants to foster leaders by showing
examples of commendable deeds and presenting annual awards, said Terri Lee
Freeman, president of the group. Those honored do not have the status of
"Washingtonian of the Year" winners, she said. "But these are the folks
toiling in their communities, truly making a difference." This years
honorees are; Pilar Laugel, Dorothea Ferrell, Paula Poulis, Pastor Abba
Tesfamariam Baraki, and Hank Carde.
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