Subsidy Could Harm Consumers and May Not Save Energy
 
President Obama has signed into a law a program to stimulate new car purchases and take old gas guzzlers off the road.  The program, referred to as Cash for Clunkers, would give new car buyers a rebate worth thousands per vehicle, when they trade in an old fuel [...]

Here are some recent interviews of Professor Joseph Fuhr on today’s Digital TV Transition:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20090611_Today__digital_TV_is_in__analog_TV_is_out.html
 
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/06/12/business/doc4a31c5aa45392299681781.txt
 
http://www.kyw1060.com/Analog-Television-s-Drop-Dead-Date-Arrives-at-Last/4580742
What are you thoughts about the Digital TV Transition?

Former FCC Bureau Chief and Senior Fellow at the American Consumer Institute, Dr. Larry Darby, was interviewd on the radio program, Federal Drive, by Tom Temin and Jane Norris.  Click here to hear the interview and tell us your comments.

1) On Wireless Spectrum, see Heartland at:
http://www.heartland.org:80/publications/infotech%20telecom/article/25408/Senators_Seek_Wireless_Spectrum_Inventory.html
 
2) On Casino Competition and the Economy, see Metro International at:
 http://www.metro.us:80/us/article/2009/05/28/03/3537-85/index.xml
 
3) On Casino Competition and the Economy, see Delaware County Daily Times:
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/05/29/business/doc4a1f66ae94357699001179.txt
 
4). Universal service, see Heartland at:
http://www.heartland.org:80/publications/infotech%20telecom/article/25412/Expansion_of_Universal_Service_Fund_Debated.html

Readers:
Over the last month, we picked 5 major public policy issues and asked our readers to pick which of these issues were of most concern to them.  Here are the final results of our online survey in order of importance:

Economic Crisis (36%)
Energy Independence (27%)
War on Terrorism (12%)
Health Insurance reform (10%)
Global Warming (10%)
All other issues (5%)

 Please post your comments if [...]

Considerable attention has in recent years been focused on consumer choice regarding platforms and conditions for accessing various kinds of content via the Internet. The main focus has been on the supply of Internet access networks – cable, wireline telco, satellite, wireless – from which consumers can choose as means to get to the content [...]

This investigative report finds that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) may be overcharging insurance companies who pass these costs along to consumers in the form of higher prices.  State laws require companies to electronically file financial and rate information with the NAIC, who set filing fees without state approval or review.  Effectively, states have given away their [...]

Rep. Mary Bono Mack will be introducing the Informed P2P User Act tomorrow, or Thursday at the latest. Stop Child Predators has been supportive of this bill, and we’re hoping you may also be interested in showing support.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) programs allow Internet users within the same networking program to connect with each other and directly [...]

ITEM: TELECOM SUBCOMMITTEE TO HOLD
UNIVERSAL SERVICE REFORM (USF) REFORM HEARING
Universal service has long enjoyed widespread support in principle as an objective of US telecommunications policy. However, changes in technology, regulation and markets over the years have complicated its pursuit and raised serious questions about best to define its objectives and to fashion rules to govern [...]

Try this new consumer calculator!  It will estimate the cost of a new car, SUV, van or Truck, and it will estimate the fuel costs over a multi-year period.  Please et us know what you think and give us ideas for new calculators.