What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
What’s next for cybersecurity, election info sharing?
Information sharing on cybersecurity and election threats may become a whole lot harder after the Department of Homeland Security ended some federal funding for two partnerships used by thousands of state and local governments. A spokesperson for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency confirmed it terminated a $10 million partnership with the Center for Internet Security for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
Top broadband official exits Commerce Department with sharp Musk warning
Evan Feinman, a top Commerce Department official sent a blistering email to his former colleagues on his way out the door warning that the Trump administration is poised to unduly enrich Elon Musk’s satellite internet company with money for rural broadband. The technology offered by Starlink, Musk’s company, is inferior, Feinman warned.
Maine's Message to Secretary Lutnick on BEAD
The Maine Connectivity Authority believes there are several ways to both accelerate and improve the BEAD program, reducing barriers and maximizing the Return On Investment (ROI):
Cincinnati is a city with a rich history and a dynamic, evolving community that plays a critical role in shaping the future of the state and the broader Midwest. To ensure this future is equitable and inclusive, we must safeguard the investments that make digital access possible and expand the digital inclusion ecosystem.
Proposed Second Quarter 2025 Universal Service Contribution Factor
The Federal Communications Commission's Office of Managing Director (OMD) announces that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the second quarter of 2025 will be 0.366 or 36.6 percent. Contributions to the federal universal service support mechanisms are determined using a quarterly contribution factor calculated by the FCC. The FCC calculates the quarterly contribution factor based on the ratio of total projected quarterly costs of the universal service support mechanisms to contributors’ total projected collected end-user interstate and international telecommunications re
On March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in "FCC v. Consumers' Research", the case that could determine the future of the Universal Service Fund (USF). The SHLB Coalition is a named party in the case and has filed briefs seeking to preserve funding for the E-Rate and Rural Health Care programs.
The Court will consider whether to support the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision finding the USF to be unconstitutional or to uphold the decisions in the Sixth and Eleventh Circuits finding no constitutional problem.
Carr’s anti-DEI crusade is a ridiculous waste of FCC resources
When Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr issued his big deregulation announcement, I have to admit I chortled a little bit at my desk. The irony of the announcement just tickled my funny bone. At a certain point, there’s nothing else to do but laugh.
The Elon Musk company you should be worried about right now
The next phase of Elon Musk’s plan to entangle his companies with the workings of the federal government is well underway. That entails not only President Donald Trump’s photo op with a Tesla in front of the White House but also, surprisingly, the future of your internet connection.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves 14 Bills and Advances Two Nominations
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced 14 bills and two nominations, Mark Meador to be a Federal Trade Commissioner (Roll call vote: 20 Yeas, 8 Nays) and Michael Kratsios to be the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (Roll call vote: 24 Yeas, 4 Nays). The approved legislation covers a wide swath of the Commerce Committee’s broad jurisdiction, including, oceans, space exploration, consumer protection, semiconductor manufacturing, and industrial supply chains. The legislation, passed by voice vote, includes:
Meta is trying to ‘offload’ kids safety onto app stores with new bills, Google says
Meta has spent more than a year advocating for new laws requiring app stores to give parents control over kids’ app downloads, and just saw an early victory in the states.