Technology on Friday July 03, 2009

PA: Bill banning forced identity-chip implants clears House
By Lauren Boyer, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Invasion of privacy is an issue that really gets under State Rep. Babette Josephs' skin. That's why the Philadelphia Democrat introduced a bill, passed unanimously last week by the House, that would ban the forced implantation of computer chips in humans.
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PA: Online game lets citizens decide how to balance the state budget
By Ann Belser, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Keystone Progress, a liberal public interest group, has created a computer game giving citizens the (virtual) power to balance the Pennsylvania budget. You can raise income taxes, cut spending on preschool and kindergarten programs (little kids don't vote) and even close corporate tax loopholes without any lobbyists tracking you down.
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US: Government makes $4 billion 'down payment' on project to expand broadband
By Cecilia Kang, The Washington Post
Vice President Biden yesterday announced guidelines for $4 billion in stimulus funds to expand high-speed Internet access across the nation, jump-starting a program that has been criticized for taking too long to get off the ground.
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AK: Alaska telecom companies angle for Internet stimulus funds
By Ashton Goodell, KTUU.com (Anchorage)
The U.S. Department of Commerce released guidelines Wednesday for a $7.2 billion program meant to expand broadband Internet service to rural communities.
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HI: Drivers mindful of law on 1st day of phone ban
By Katie Urbaszewski, The Honolulu Advertiser
Brandi Crab said she was about to call work yesterday morning to say she was running late, but stopped short when she remembered the city's new cell phone ban had just taken effect.
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HI: Veto of Hawaii excise tax on online retailers likely to stand
By Derrick DePledge, The Honolulu Advertiser
Gov. Linda Lingle's veto yesterday of a bill that would apply the state's general excise tax to Mainland retailers with Internet links to Hawai'i will likely stand, after state lawmakers said they will not attempt an override because of a technical flaw.
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MS: PSC minus spending plan
By Elizabeth Crisp, The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson)
Disagreement over the size of the Public Service Commission's staff left it as the only state agency unfunded as the fiscal year began Wednesday.
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NM: N.M. SOS Mary Herrera -- All systems should be online Thursday
By Heath Haussamen, New Mexico Independent
New Mexico Secretary of State Mary Herrera said late Wednesday that the computer systems in her office that enable database searches and Uniform Commercial Code filings should be back online Thursday.
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OH: Lottery's switch to new computer system led to some problems for a few hours Wednesday
By Mark Naymick, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
The Ohio Lottery's switch to a new computer system Wednesday resulted in some problems for retailers selling and redeeming tickets, but most of the glitches were worked out by the afternoon, state officials said.
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OH: Glitches arise with change in lottery
By James Nash, The Columbus Dispatch
Lottery players experienced problems yesterday, particularly in cashing their winning tickets, as the Ohio Lottery launched a new gaming system that's supposed to save money and process tickets more quickly.
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PA: Biden visits W.Pa. to promote stimulus funds for broadband use
By Debra Erdley, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
WATTSBURG, Pa. -- Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday traveled to this rural northwestern Pennsylvania community of 348 to detail the start of a $7.2 billion stimulus program to expand access to high-speed Internet service.
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RI: 2 more Web retailers cancel R.I. ties
By Paul Grimaldi, The Providence Journal
More online retailers have joined Amazon.com's boycott of Rhode Island as the companies try to stamp out efforts to tax Internet sales.
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