Wednesday, February 19, 2003

Online Payments SB 175 sponsored by Curtis Bramble has just been released.  The bill is fairly generic and should work for all agencies. The bill allows agencies to include electronic payment fees as part of the fee for license renewals, etc. for all methods of payment. 4:15:42 PM

Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer I met with UII this morning to discuss the Utah Business Portal and other issues.  I stressed my goal of incorporating several ideas into the development of the portal.  In addition to the standard portal components, I would like Utah's business portal to emphasize opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.  I would also like to ensure that it promotes partnerships, such as those between higher education (the business schools) and business.  Technology transfer has a rich history in Utah and many businesses such as WordPerfect and Evans and Sutherland have grown up around Utah's colleges and universities.  Governor Leavitt's emphasis on developing a larger pool of science and engineering resources should support this.  Utah's economy needs this to happen. Here are a couple of great reads from Jim Stewart, a manager with UEN: Network Security - The Direction and Future of UEN The Network of the Future 1:12:48 PM

Ready.gov Sabrina Pacifici points out yet another Homeland Security website.  Ready.gov is operated by the Department of Homeland Security and specifically addresses the issues of personal and community preparedness. Thirteen states participated in an ISAC pilot. 12:29:09 PM

e911, Homeland Security, Wireless, and Smart Mobs David Stephenson argues that it is time to turn homeland security over to "smart mobs," It's time for the resources that individuals have already invested in to become a cornerstone of Homeland Security strategy and services. As Steve Proctor, executive director of the Utah Communications Agency Network (UCAN), said to Federal Computer Week, "My cellular phone has more functionality and costs a lot less than our radio systems." The power of those devices could become even greater with the proper federal regulations. If the FCC would stop giving extensions to wireless carriers and force them to start providing e911 services, which would allow precisely locating a given cell phone, it would be possible to customize evacuation plans based on your specific location at all times, as well as alerting you to, for example, a biohazard plume heading your way. Representative Brad Dees is sponsoring Management, Enhancement, and Funding of the 911 System, a bill that will support what David is calling for.  The funding proposal includes $0.01 per phone call to support the integration of GIS systems to be able to determine where a cell call is placed from which will create many new opportunities. 11:43:37 AM

Food Insecurity According to data from the USDA Food Security Institute as presented in The Olympian, Utah ranks 11th nationally in terms of "food insecurity."  12.7% of Utahns find themselves in this category which is defined as worry about having enough food at the end of the month. The Dept. of Agriculture is introducing a new magazine covering the economics of agriculture, food, rural America, trade, and the environment this month online. 7:35:09 AM

© Copyright 2003 David Fletcher.