Tom Barrett on Technology Former Democratic Representative (WI-5)

Build high-speed rail from Milwaukee to Madison

BARRETT: We had this type of debate when we started the Hiawatha several years ago, and what we've seen is an increase in ridership between Chicago and Milwaukee. I think the same thing will occur with the ridership between Milwaukee and Madison, and bear in mind, this is really about Chicago and the Twin Cities, where Wisconsin is the major beneficiary of a high speed rail line. I do believe there will be economic growth, I do think it'll support the ridership, and it's important to note that Scott Walker [pledged to] stop this train. I think he could stop this train. Do I think there will be cost overruns? No, because I'll make sure there are not, just like I made sure there weren't when we had the rehabilitation of City Hall.

Promote internet via Congressional Internet Caucus.

Founded in the spring of 1996, the Congressional Internet Caucus is a bipartisan group of over 150 members of the House and Senate working to educate their colleagues about the promise and potential of the Internet. The Caucus also encourages Members to utilize the Internet in communications with constituents and supports efforts to put more government documents online. The Internet Caucus Advisory Committee and the Internet Education Foundation host regular events and forums for policymakers, the press, and the public to discuss important Internet-related policy issues.

Membership in the Congressional Internet Caucus is open to any Member of Congress who pledges support for the following goals:
• Promoting growth and advancement of the Internet
• Providing a bicameral, bipartisan forum for Internet concerns to be raised
• Promoting the education of Members of Congress and their staffs about the Internet
• Promoting commerce and free flow of information on the Internet
• Advancing the United States' world leadership in the digital world
• Maximizing the openness of and participation in government by the people.

Criminal penalties for e-mail spamming.

Title: To protect individuals, families, and Internet service providers from unsolicited and unwanted electronic mail.

Summary:
1. Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for intentionally transmitting ten or more unsolicited commercial electronic mail messages to one or more protected computers in the United States, with the knowledge that such messages are accompanied by or contain materially false or misleading information as to the identity of the initiator.

2. Allows a provider of Internet access service to bring an action against a person using such service to commit a violation of this Act.

3. Allows certain statutory damages under such an action.

4. Prescribe marks or notices to be included in electronic mail that contains a sexually oriented advertisement in order to inform the recipient of such fact.

5. Provides penalties for not including such marks or notices.

6. Requires the Attorney General to submit to Congress a detailed analysis of the effectiveness and enforcement, and need for modification, of this Act.