McCaskill Leads Bipartisan Effort to Prevent Foreign Regulation of the Internet

Senator Claire McCaskill is spearheading an effort in the U.S. Senate aimed at blocking the United Nations or foreign governments from regulating the internet.

Citing the potential impacts on internet freedom and on technology jobs in the U.S., McCaskill has joined with Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, in taking leadership on this issue. The two have introduced a Senate resolution to make clear that the United States opposes allowing any international body or foreign country to have jurisdiction over internet management or regulation.  

Non-profit, non-governmental entities currently regulate and oversee the Internet, keeping the global network out of reach of any one government or international body. However, recent proposals—including some by the governments of Russia, China, and Iran—would turn some of the most critical Internet functions over to the United Nations, which could negatively affect innovation and dramatically expand the power of foreign countries to limit or censor speech within their borders.

“The technology sector is a true bright spot in our economy today, and now is no time to impose international regulations that could restrict growth,” McCaskill said.  “And beyond the economic impacts, I’m not interested in giving oppressive regimes an even greater ability to restrict what their citizens can see, hear, share, and communicate.”

Similar resolutions have been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, affirming that the United States should preserve, enhance, and increase access to an open, global internet.

The resolutions come ahead of a December meeting of the International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations agency responsible for communication technologies. The conference is tasked with renegotiating the International Telecommunications Regulations, which provide a framework for global telecommunications, and have not been amended since being written in 1988.

A copy of McCaskill’s bipartisan resolution is available on her website, HERE.

Midwest Data Upgrades Service

Midwest Data spent much of Saturday afternoon upgrading Grant City customers to faster Internet service. Customers immediately noticed a difference in the level of service that day. Midwest put in a new tower south of Grant City and the upgrade had been in the works for the last several months. The upgrade will make it easier for customers to perform work on their computers, making it easier to attract businesses to the area.

Legislators work to close loophole in Internet tax policy

As state lawmakers look for areas to deal with an expected budget shortfall, a couple of legislators are pushing legislation that would go after taxes that are not being collected from Internet sales.

The proposal would have Missouri join 24 other states, such as Kansas and Iowa, in a compact to assure the state collects taxes from Internet sales with merchants in other states.

Under the agreement, if a Missourian buys from an in-state online company, the revenue collected from the sales tax will go to the point of origin, or the local area in which the company is located. If a purchaser buys a product from an out-of-state Internet business, then the sales tax revenue collected goes to the point of delivery, or where the purchaser is located.

Rep. Margo McNeil, D-St. Louis County, called the streamlined sales tax a way to end the advantage that online retailers have over traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

"The tax is a step in trying to even the playing field because right now we have a lot of people who are going in and using the stores as a showroom and then going home and buying on the Internet," McNeil said.

The proposal to join the multi-state compact has been floating around Missouri's legislature for the past few years. Last year, the measure cleared both House and Senate committees, but it did not get a full chamber vote. Both this year and last, no organization spoke in opposition to the idea to the House committee.

Opinion: Hulshof Opposed Economic Support for Worth County

Opinions are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheridan Express.
Hulshof Opposed Economic Support for
Worth County
by the Missouri Democratic Party
Asked what the top three priorities of a potential Hulshof administration would be in an interview following the first Gubernatorial debate, Congressman Kenny Hulshof responded, "jobs, jobs and jobs." But when he had the chance, Congressman Hulshof opposed economic packages that would have addressed the wholesale export of American jobs and instead gave priority with taxpayer money for wasteful pork projects like the Bridge to Nowhere, the Woodstock Museum and roughly 11,000 other earmarks.
In Congress, Hulshof voted against legislation supported by Congressional members Sam Graves and Jo Ann Emerson that would have provided support for expanding broadband Internet access, economic development strategies, infrastructure, and job skills training for 55 Missouri counties, including Worth County.
Watch the video contrasting Congressman Hulshof’s words and his deeds at www.CongressmanKenny.com.
"Congressman Hulshof says all of his top three priorities would be jobs. But in Washington, when he had the chance to do something to slow American jobs going to other countries, to help areas that had lost jobs to other countries or to help build the economy in the neediest areas of Missouri, he instead gave priority to wasteful pork projects like a Bridge to Nowhere and a Woodstock Museum," Zac Wright, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman, said. "Congressman Hulshof is right about one thing. It is about priorities. But looking at his record, you have to wonder if his priorities are the same as Missourians’."
In Congress, Hulshof opposed important jobs measures, to:
· slow the outsourcing to other countries of American manufacturing jobs,
· redevelop communities whose manufacturing sectors have suffered from the influences of international trade, and;
· develop economic initiatives for distressed Missouri counties, drawing criticism from fellow Missouri Republican Sam Graves.
Instead, Hulshof gave a higher priority to spending Missourians’ taxpayer money on 11,000 pork project earmarks, including:
· The $220 Million "Bridge to Nowhere" [Anchorage Daily News, 07/30/05; St. Petersburg Times, 04/01/07]
· The Woodstock Museum [House of Representatives Vote 561, 2007]
· The Maine Lobster Institute [House of Representatives Vote 735, 2007]
· Funding For "International Asparagus Competitiveness." [House of Representatives Vote 360, 2000]
· $500,000 To Renovate A Swimming Pool In Southern California. [House of Representatives Vote 277, 2006]
· $150,000 In Funding To Upgrade "An Italian Grocery Market" In New York City. [House of Representatives Vote 334, 2006]
· An Earmark To Fund The Recruitment Of Dairy Farmers To Northeast Iowa [House of Representatives Vote 190, 2006]
· A $129,000 Project That "Would Have Doubled Retail Space Available For A Gift Shop Selling Products…Such As Christmas Tree Ornaments, Handmade Soaps And Pottery." [House of Representatives Vote 593, 2007]
· Funds To Study The Andean Knotted-String Records
· Funds To Study The Prehistoric Bison Hunting In The Great Plains
· Funds To Study The "Sexual Politics Of Waste In Dakar, Senegal,"
· Funds To Study The Social Relationships And Sexual Habits Of Phayre’s Leaf Monkeys
· Funds To Study The Why Some People Are Superstitious [House of Representatives Vote 289, 2007]
BACKGROUND: THE HULSHOF RECORD
Kenny Hulshof, in 2004, voted against increasing funding for a program that attempts "to slow the flow of American jobs going oversees by investing…in programs, including worker training, for small- and medium-sized manufacturers."
On July 9, 2004, "the House passed a bill…that would attempt to slow the flow of American jobs going oversees by investing $110 million in programs, including worker training, for small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
The bill (HR 3598), passed by voice vote, would reauthorize the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, a nationwide network of more than 400 not-for-profit centers that provide manufacturers assistance such as worker training, advice on business practices and instruction on the use of information technology."
Congressman Hulshof voted against an amendment to more than double the authorization for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which has helped Missouri businesses, including Precision Aero Services, Inc. in Nevada, Mo.
Precision Aero Services, Inc. in Nevada, Mo., created 185 jobs with the help of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. [House of Representatives Vote 355, 2004, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership, http://blue.nist.gov/ss/F643247A9866C3D185256F8E0066AD80]
Kenny Hulshof, in 2007, voted against a bill to help 55 economically distressed counties in Missouri "with high poverty and unemployment rates." Congressman "Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it would help give rural parts of the country access to broadband Internet. This technology ‘should be available to everyone, no matter where they live, at a reasonable rate,’ he said." It also would help these counties with economic development strategies, infrastructure, and job skills training.
"The legislation would have authorized $1.25 billion for five regional economic development agencies. Modeled after the Appalachian Regional Commission and aimed at areas with high poverty and unemployment rates, the commissions would be charged with establishing economic development plans for their respective regions."
One of the five regional commissions would be the Delta Regional Commission, which would include "the counties Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Howell, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscott, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas, Washington, Wayne, and Wright in the State of Missouri."
Another of the five regional commissions would be the Northern Great Plains Regional Commission, which would include "the counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Platte, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, and Worth in the State of Missouri." [Text of H.R. 3246, Printed in the Congressional Record on 09/17/07]
Kenny Hulshof, on October 4, 2007, voted against H.R. 3246. He was one of 154 House members who voted with President George W. Bush against this bill to "set up five regional commissions across the country, all with paid staff to assess the economic needs and coordinate economic development strategies. It also would approve grants to states, local governments, nonprofit agencies and tribes for infrastructure, job skills training, tourism promotion and local assistance in areas such as health care." [House of Representatives Vote 946, 2007, and The News & Observer, 10/08/07]
"At least 40 percent of the funds would be used to develop transportation, telecommunications and basic public infrastructure.
The remaining money would be used for economic development activities that include job training, public services, conservation, tourism and renewable and alternative energy projects." [San Antonio Express-News, 10/05/07]
Congressman "Sam Graves, R-Mo., said it would help give rural parts of the country access to broadband Internet. This technology ‘should be available to everyone, no matter where they live, at a reasonable rate,’ he said." [Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 10/06/07]
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson voted with Graves to pass this bill. [House of Representatives Vote 946, 2007]

Capitol Report for June 4th, 2008

Increasing Protections For Our Children
The lives of children today are much more dangerous than the carefree days that many of us enjoyed as children. Although we teach our children about the dangers of the world, they still maintain the curiosity and innocence of the world around them. From the playgrounds and parks in our communities to the digital world created by the Internet, our children need a watchful eye to ensure they are protected them from modern day harm.
In the last few years, the Missouri General Assembly has worked hard to combat those individuals who prey on our Missouri’s children. Through the establishment of the sexual offender registry and tougher sentencing guidelines, we have come a long way in protecting our children from the new dangers in the world. However, individuals who work to exploit the law and take advantage of our children have not stopped. Unfortunately, many of these individuals who have committed crimes against children in other states have exploited legal loopholes to avoid registration and buffer zones.
This year, as the legislature again took steps to protect Missouri’s children. Among the bills passed was SB 818, also known as "Megan's Law", which made online stalking and harassment a criminal offense while forcing all individuals on the sex offender registry to list any and all online identities they use. While those provisions seek to protect our children in the digital world, SB 714 closed the loopholes that were keeping offenders who had committed sexual registry crimes in other states from having to register in Missouri. As a result, every sexual offender in Missouri will now be forced to register regardless of where they committed their crime. In addition, SB 714 increased penalties for individuals who promote child pornography and prohibits sex offenders from participating in Halloween activities.
As long as individuals exist who want to harm innocent children, we must be diligent in our pursuit to stop them. As your Senator, I am committed to ensuring that law enforcement and our judicial system have the tools necessary to find these criminals, prosecute them, and lock them up. I am hopeful that one day all Missouri children will once again be able to fully experience, without worry, the excitements and adventures that make childhood so much fun.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 429, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

A Moment with Mike for June 4th, 2008

Seventy-seven percent of Americans now have Internet access at home and nearly 100 percent of public schools have Internet access, as well as most libraries. The Internet is a great resource to our young Missourians for homework help, educational games and communicating with parents and teachers. However, we are not always aware of the doors that technology can open for predators and abusers. To help protect Missourians, we passed legislation to help crack down on the growing threat of cyber crimes.
Our previous harassment statute limited harassment to offensive language or threats to commit a felony against a person in writing or by phone. The legislation we passed brings this statute in line with current technology by including harassment from computers, text messages and other electronic devices. Under the bill, repeat offenders and anyone who is at least 21 year old can be charged with a felony and face up to four years in prison if they harass a minor. Other instances of harassment remain a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in jail and fines up to $1,000. It also expands state laws against stalking to cover "credible threats" not only against the victim, but also family and household members and animals.
While these changes will no doubt help us properly prosecute those who harass Missourians, I could argue that equally important is the fact that this issue is coming to light and will hopefully encourage Missouri parents, guardians and teachers to take this threat seriously. As your legislator, I want to protect your family, and one of the best ways I can do this is by drawing attention to the issue of cyber harassment and working with you to do all we can to monitor and protect the children in our lives from those who seek to use technology to do them harm.
Unfortunately, we can’t be with our children 24 hours a day and have to trust that they will listen to the dangers we educate them about. But it is also important to make sure our schools are on the alert. The legislation we passed requires school officials to tell police about harassment and stalking on school grounds. We hope this increased protection will encourage Missouri parents to work closely with their children, the state, law enforcement and our schools to prevent harassment and identify and stop it immediately if it does occur.
We also passed a bill this year to protect Missourians from another cyber threat – one from those who attempt to lure and sexually exploit children. Senate Bill 932 creates the Cyber Crimes Investigation Fund to provide $3 million per year for the existing Internet Cyber Crime Grant (ICCG) program that targets Internet predators and pornographers. The measure allows funds used for investigating Internet sex crimes against children to also include an allocation for training prosecuting and circuit attorneys. The additional funding this bill authorizes will greatly enhance protection for Missouri’s children from the threat of online predators.
If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 406A State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.