Senate Committee on Advisory Council on the Digital Economy - 76th R.S. (1999)
Committee Members
Public members
- Mike Maples, Chair
- Andrew Busey
- Michael Capellas
- Ken DeAngelis
- Thomas Engibous
- Bob Fabbio
- Donald Hackett
- Katherine Hammer
- John Hime
- Christy Jones
- Terrell B. Jones
- James H. Lee
- John McCain
- Dick Moeller
- Dennis E. Murphree
- David G. Nance
- Kevin Rollins
- David Sikora
- James Truchard
- Padmasree Warrior
- Max Watson
Charges
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With a focus on maintaining Texas' leadership in the digital economy, the Council shall consider strategies that (a) promote Texas' already-existing technology-friendly climate, (b) reduce governmental impediments to the greater economic opportunities for technology companies in Texas, and (c) encourage technology companies to locate in and remain in Texas. Specifically, the Council shall consider:
A. How to create broad promotional efforts that highlight Texas' pro-technology business climate.
B. How tax policy encourages or discourages the growth of Texas' high tech industry.
C. How state government permitting, contracting and regulatory compliance processes affect the growth of Texas' high tech industry.
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To enhance Texas' position as a leader in the digital economy, the Council shall consider strategies to develop a more educated workforce. Specifically, the Council shall consider:
A. Which improvements in K-12 mathematics and science education programs might help meet the workforce needs of the high tech industry.
B. How to improve the technology training for primary and secondary school teachers and how technology can be more fully integrated into the curriculum of Texas' schools.
C. Whether current high school technology programs meet the workforce needs of the high tech industry.
D. How Texas' community colleges can be a key to addressing the workforce demands of the high tech industry.
E. How to encourage the movement of technology from university labratories into Texas' high tech companies.
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The growth of the Internet brings new opportunities, such as greater information distributed more broadly, and new risks. The Council shall develop strategies to promote the broad opportunities that the Internet brings and shall consider what, if any, steps might be taken to minimize the adverse effects of the new risks. Specifically, the Council shall consider:
A. How to bridge the digital divide and make the opportunities of the Internet available to more Texans.
B. What consumer protection measures, including fraud protection, privacy protection and anti-spamming protection, can provide consumers with greater confidence in their use of the Internet as a tool for information and commerce.
C. How to utilize the Internet as a means of addressing public health concerns regarding the delivery of medical information and services.
D. How to utilize the Internet as a tool to allow for greater public participation in the democratic process.
E. How to utilize the Internet as a means of enhancing rural economic development.
F. What measures can be taken to give parents greater control over their children's use of the Internet.
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