 |
|
|
|
||
|
Press
Office |
 |
May 22, 2008 EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 42 WHEREAS, effective economic development today requires unprecedented levels of collaboration and communication among business, local and state government, education, healthcare, tourism, and community leaders; and
WHEREAS, high-speed internet access, also known as broadband, has become an essential element of economic vitality. Broadband availability increases individual worker productivity, breaks down the traditional geographic barriers to jobs and careers in high-paying fields, and connects Alabama businesses to international markets around the world; and WHEREAS, small towns and rural communities across Alabama are the cradle of the best of American ingenuity, potential, and values; yet without sufficient access to broadband and a high level of use of available technology, these communities and their residents will remain technologically, and thus economically isolated and competitively disadvantaged; and WHEREAS, the availability of broadband in Alabama is continuing to increase across multiple technological platforms; however, certain locations and/or communities are either underserved (e.g., insufficient speeds to fully leverage the benefits of broadband) or unserved; and WHEREAS, eliminating underserved and unserved areas in the state will provide educational, economic, health, governance and public safety benefits to all citizens of Alabama; and WHEREAS, all Alabama citizens, especially high-tech workers, require and will significantly benefit from expanded broadband access at work, at home, at school and for e-commerce; and WHEREAS, the basic requirements for successfully expanding the benefits of broadband internet to all citizens of Alabama are: (1) access to computers (privately owned or leased, or provided at public locations as a public benefit); (2) access to reliable broadband services at affordable prices and at speeds required for current and future applications; and (3) knowledge to effectively use those computers and the internet; and WHEREAS, broadband infrastructure allows communities to engage the world with their goods and services; allows industries reliant upon traditional manufacturing to use the internet to expand their markets and make their operations even more efficient; allows professionals in rural communities to work from home; and broadband brings educational opportunities, improved healthcare, more effective government services and a better quality of life to all residents; and WHEREAS, companies selling technology-intensive products and services, or companies with technologically advanced operations, generally provide faster growth in employment and income than companies in other sectors; and
Executive Order No. 42 Page two WHEREAS, studies show that as much as 85% of the growth in per-capita income over the past 150 years has resulted from technological change, and technology-intensive private sector jobs pay average wages of 85-95% higher than private sector jobs that are not technology-intensive. NOW THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby establish the Alabama Broadband Initiative (ABI). The mission of the Alabama Broadband Initiative shall be to extend the benefits of advanced broadband technology to every community in the state through collaborative partnerships with governmental and private sector stakeholders. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Alabama Broadband Initiative shall be implemented and managed by a Director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor and who shall also serve as Executive Director of the Advisory Board for the Alabama Broadband Initiative. The office of the Director shall operate as an arm of the Governor’s Policy Office, and the Director shall report through the Governor’s Policy Director to the Chief of Staff. Salary, administrative expenses and travel reimbursements and expenses for the Director, shall be set, approved and paid by the Governor’s Office. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the fiscal agent for the Alabama Broadband Initiative will be the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that there is created an Operating/Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as “the Board”, for the Alabama Broadband Initiative, which shall be comprised of the following fifteen ex-officio members, or their officially named designees, where appropriate, with the three legislative members not being entitled to name a designee, who shall coordinate the implementation of ABI with all appropriate agencies of state government: 1. Director, Alabama Development Office, 2. Director, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, 3. Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, 4. Director, Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, 5. Director, Alabama Rural Action Commission, 6. Director, Alabama Department of Homeland Security, 7. Chief Executive Officer, Alabama Supercomputer Authority, 8. Commissioner, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, 9. Chancellor, Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, 10. State Superintendent of Education, 11. State Health Officer, 12. Chief Information Officer, State of Alabama, 13. One member from the Alabama Senate, appointed by the Governor 14. Two members from the Alabama House of Representatives, appointed by the Governor Executive Order No. 42 Page three BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that other members, including representatives of the broadband service providers in this state and any related industries or associations, may be added to the membership of the Board, in a non-voting capacity, as shall be determined by the Governor. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Board shall receive any program transfer funds from the federal government, or its departments and/or agencies, or from other state departments or agencies, and any grants, awards, contributions, donations, or other funds awarded to the ABI, and shall, by majority vote, make grants and awards of any funds received, for the purposes outlined in this Executive Order, and shall establish the necessary rules, regulations, and guidelines for qualification to receive grants and awards from the ABI.. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that no funds received or awarded by the Board shall be used for salary, expenses, travel reimbursement, or other administrative costs or expenses of the Director, and that all funds received will be distributed to qualified agencies, departments, programs or for reasonable operating expenses or administrative costs. BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Board for the ABI shall advise the Governor regarding matters affecting broadband deployment and shall report periodically to the Governor and provide him with information and recommendations for his consideration. DONE and ORDERED this 22nd day of May, 2008.
______________________________ Bob Riley Governor _________________________________ Beth Chapman Secretary of State | |
|
|
