Labor

The Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2018 (S 645) would direct the Department of Commerce (DOC) to assess and analyze the contributions of the digital economy to the economy of the United States and produce a report every two years. The analysis would include the effect of digital-enabling infrastructure, broadband, e-commerce, and digital media.

The Trump administration's consideration of tariffs on Chinese printed circuit assemblies and connected devices would cost the economy $520.8 million and $2.4 billion annually for the 10 percent and 25 percent tariffs, respectively, according to a new study commissioned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

The Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development is seeking applications to support regional economic development planning efforts in rural communities under the Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) initiative. This funding opportunity will be administered by the Rural Development Innovation Center, in partnership with the Rural BusinessCooperative Service. The agency is announcing up to $750,000 in competitive cooperative agreement funds in fiscal year (FY) 2018. Rural Development Agency may select one, multiple, or no award recipients.

Hundreds of Google employees, upset at the company’s decision to secretly build a censored version of its search engine for China, have signed a letter demanding more transparency to understand the ethical consequences of their work.

The candidates running to become New York’s next attorney general each sought to assure a tech-friendly audience that they would be defenders of network neutrality and entrepreneurship during a candidate forum on Aug 14. Rep Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Public Advocate Tish James, Zephyr Teachout and Leecia Eve — all running to secure the Democratic nomination in September’s primary election — made their pitches to protect industry actors while at the same time presenting themselves as bulwarks against the presidency of Donald Trump.

The amount of data collected by the federal government is reaching almost unfathomable levels, which leads to a more pressing question: What good is data if you can’t mine it for gold?

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is targeting Republican lawmakers and AT&T in a new advertising campaign aimed at highlighting the telecommunication company’s job cuts after receiving a boost from the GOP’s tax law. The CWA has launched radio ads in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Texas that ties Republican candidates to the job cuts. The group estimates that AT&T has cut 7,000 jobs since the tax bill went into effect in 2018. They accuse the company of using its tax savings to enrich its shareholders and executives rather than investing in workers.

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is fighting hard against a Federal Communications Commission proposal they say endangers its members and could send CWA work to unskilled non-union contractors. The FCC is preparing to vote Aug 2 on, and almost certainly approve, a proposal to allow for "one touch, make ready" prep for attachment of communications equipment on utility poles.

Lawmakers in the House passed a bill aimed at bolstering skills training for technical jobs in various industries. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act unanimously passed the House after passing the Senate on July 23. It is now headed to President Donald Trump’s desk. The bill, introduced by Reps GT Thompson (R-PA) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), increases federal funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Program by up to $1.3 billion annually.