Technology
Rep. Seel Discusses IT Issues on Horizon
October 28 2009 15:51
Representative Carl Seel (R-District 6) appeared on Horizon to discuss the House’s new ad hoc committee on Information Technology. Rep. Seel discussed ways the committee can help with cost savings for Arizona, streamlining of government along with more government transparency.
Kindly click on this link or the KAET graphic below to see this brief but informative interview.
Kindly click on this link or the KAET graphic below to see this brief but informative interview.
House Committee On Information Technology Meets Tomorrow
October 26 2009 14:05
Tomorrow the Ad Hoc Legislative Committee on Agency Information Technology will host its first hearing in House Hearing Room 3 at 9:00 a.m. with Rep. David Stevens (R-Sierra Vista) as the chairman.
The interim Information Technology committee will focus on the effective delivery of service, improved interaction with business and industry, increased transparency and the reduction of costs to the public through the use of an e-Government system.
“With the present systems that are nearly 30 years old there doesn’t seem to be a guided vision for the state. We have an opportunity at the Legislature to provide guidance and direction to the state and hopefully to streamline e-Government to modernize and standardize the current infrastructure. I plan on using my 30 years of IT experience to accomplish just that,” Rep. Stevens said.
Committee members will hear testimony from the Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Government Information Technology and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System regarding their current infrastructure and needs. Committee members will also conduct a tour of AHCCCS after the hearing.
The interim Information Technology committee will focus on the effective delivery of service, improved interaction with business and industry, increased transparency and the reduction of costs to the public through the use of an e-Government system.
“With the present systems that are nearly 30 years old there doesn’t seem to be a guided vision for the state. We have an opportunity at the Legislature to provide guidance and direction to the state and hopefully to streamline e-Government to modernize and standardize the current infrastructure. I plan on using my 30 years of IT experience to accomplish just that,” Rep. Stevens said.
Committee members will hear testimony from the Department of Revenue, Department of Transportation, Government Information Technology and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System regarding their current infrastructure and needs. Committee members will also conduct a tour of AHCCCS after the hearing.
The committee is tasked with examining the various city, county and state agency information technology capabilities and will make recommendations to facilitate the modernization and coordination of information technology.
Joining Rep. Stevens on the Information Technology committee are Vice Chair, Rep. Carl Seel and Rep. Rick Murphy, Rep. Laurin Hendrix, Rep. Debbie Lesko, Rep. Anna Tovar and Rep. Rae Waters.
For more information about this Committee, please contact Rep. David Stevens at 602-926-4321 or via email at dstevens@azleg.gov.
Republican Caucus Wins 6 of 10 Top Ten Tech Awards
October 22 2009 15:25
The Arizona House of Representatives Republican Caucus has received six of the ten “Tech Ten” legislator awards for their support of the technology industry in Arizona with the “Representative of the Year” award going to Representative Bill Konopnicki (R-District 5).
A focus on Arizona’s tech industry is especially critical given a recent report suggests the demand for tech exports from Arizona has slipped from $8.7 to $8.1 billion from 2007 to 2008.
Rep. Konopnicki received the highest award from the Arizona Technology Council for “his endless passion and dedication to education and economic development,” according to the Tech Council’s press release. Rep. Konopnicki is a board member of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University along with chairing the House Natural Resources and Rural Development Committee.
Other legislators of the Republican Caucus receiving the Top Ten Tech award are Representatives Frank Antenori (R-District 30), Tom Boone (R-District 4), Laurin Hendrix (R-District 22), Lucy Mason (R-District 1), Michelle Reagan (R-District 8) and David Stevens (R-District 25).
The Arizona Technology Council seeks to distinguish Arizona as a leader in the technology community and offer resources that are exclusive to its members.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 19 from 4p.m. to 10:30p.m. with the theme “Forging the Future,” and is presented by the Arizona Technology Council, the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation.
A focus on Arizona’s tech industry is especially critical given a recent report suggests the demand for tech exports from Arizona has slipped from $8.7 to $8.1 billion from 2007 to 2008.
Rep. Konopnicki received the highest award from the Arizona Technology Council for “his endless passion and dedication to education and economic development,” according to the Tech Council’s press release. Rep. Konopnicki is a board member of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University along with chairing the House Natural Resources and Rural Development Committee.
Other legislators of the Republican Caucus receiving the Top Ten Tech award are Representatives Frank Antenori (R-District 30), Tom Boone (R-District 4), Laurin Hendrix (R-District 22), Lucy Mason (R-District 1), Michelle Reagan (R-District 8) and David Stevens (R-District 25).
The Arizona Technology Council seeks to distinguish Arizona as a leader in the technology community and offer resources that are exclusive to its members.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 19 from 4p.m. to 10:30p.m. with the theme “Forging the Future,” and is presented by the Arizona Technology Council, the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation.
Clean Energy Parks For AZ's Energy Needs
October 19 2009 10:30
Arizona House Majority Whip Andy Tobin (R-Paulden) strongly supports clean energy parks legislation and keeping the Navajo generating station running at full capacity.
Mr. Tobin is working with Representative Warde Nichols (R-Gilbert) to develop legislation that supports Arizona’s energy needs now and in the future through the creation of new, clean energy parks that may represent nuclear, wind, solar and other environmentally safe and efficient systems.
“We need to get government bureaucracy out of the way with respect to getting these business ventures started and assure the safety and efficiency for the next generations of Arizonans. We need jobs and investment today, and building our future for tomorrow”.
Arizona could find itself unable to meet current energy needs in addition to the needs of future growth in the state if Arizona does not act quickly. Currently, Arizona relies heavily upon coal burning energy factories on Native American reservations for Arizona’s base load energy needs. Newly proposed EPA regulations, if enacted, could lead to significant cost increases that will more than likely stem output and substantially lessen Arizona’s ability to meet current demands and future growth.
Rep. Tobin and Rep. Nichols seek to coordinate legislation that will develop energy for use and export while working with rural municipalities to help provide funding resources to develop a water grid for augmenting and transporting our water supply and protecting our rivers.
Additionally, by supporting new clean energy parks, Arizona can address multiple issues simultaneously including: job creation, future energy growth and more affordable energy. Such an approach can also include both a rural and urban component dealing with a water transportation grid.
“It’s critical that we support our current infrastructure and support clean energy parks that are environmentally friendly and efficient, Majority Whip Andy Tobin said. “We need both components to meet our current base load needs and also to provide for future growth. Arizona has the potential of becoming an exporter of power to other states. If we do nothing, instead of exporting energy to other states, Arizona will be forced to import energy (along with the associated costs) from neighboring states.”
As one example, the town of Clarkdale currently stands at the end of their planning process for a local clean energy park which includes energy production, water treatment, civic and nature facilities, which will make them self-sufficient and perhaps improve their revenue stream through the exportation of energy.
Mr. Tobin is working with Representative Warde Nichols (R-Gilbert) to develop legislation that supports Arizona’s energy needs now and in the future through the creation of new, clean energy parks that may represent nuclear, wind, solar and other environmentally safe and efficient systems.
“We need to get government bureaucracy out of the way with respect to getting these business ventures started and assure the safety and efficiency for the next generations of Arizonans. We need jobs and investment today, and building our future for tomorrow”.
Arizona could find itself unable to meet current energy needs in addition to the needs of future growth in the state if Arizona does not act quickly. Currently, Arizona relies heavily upon coal burning energy factories on Native American reservations for Arizona’s base load energy needs. Newly proposed EPA regulations, if enacted, could lead to significant cost increases that will more than likely stem output and substantially lessen Arizona’s ability to meet current demands and future growth.
Rep. Tobin and Rep. Nichols seek to coordinate legislation that will develop energy for use and export while working with rural municipalities to help provide funding resources to develop a water grid for augmenting and transporting our water supply and protecting our rivers.
Additionally, by supporting new clean energy parks, Arizona can address multiple issues simultaneously including: job creation, future energy growth and more affordable energy. Such an approach can also include both a rural and urban component dealing with a water transportation grid.
“It’s critical that we support our current infrastructure and support clean energy parks that are environmentally friendly and efficient, Majority Whip Andy Tobin said. “We need both components to meet our current base load needs and also to provide for future growth. Arizona has the potential of becoming an exporter of power to other states. If we do nothing, instead of exporting energy to other states, Arizona will be forced to import energy (along with the associated costs) from neighboring states.”
As one example, the town of Clarkdale currently stands at the end of their planning process for a local clean energy park which includes energy production, water treatment, civic and nature facilities, which will make them self-sufficient and perhaps improve their revenue stream through the exportation of energy.
Politics & the New Media
April 22 2009 16:27
Last week Pew Internet reported that 74 percent of internet users (55 percent of the adult American population) used the internet to get information about the election in 2008. This is the first time in history that more than half of Americans were politically engaged online.
1 in 3 internet users forwarded each other political content in 2008. While young adults became engaged politically at an unprecedented rate, seniors also forwarded political content to their friends and family at a high rate.
The Pew Internet also reported social networking is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. Last year, 83 percent of 18-24 year olds had active profiles on social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter.
1 in 3 internet users forwarded each other political content in 2008. While young adults became engaged politically at an unprecedented rate, seniors also forwarded political content to their friends and family at a high rate.
The Pew Internet also reported social networking is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young people. Last year, 83 percent of 18-24 year olds had active profiles on social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter.