New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Nominated For Secretary of Commerce
Job involves rejuvinating ailing economy, overseeing NTIA
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/3/2008 9:47:00 AM
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was nominated for secretary of commerce Wednesday.
In addition to trying to "rejuvenate" an ailing economy, that job will include overseeing the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, which is handling distribution of DTV-to-analog converter boxes for the transition to digital TV.
No word on who, if anyone, is slated to take over for Meredith Attwell Baker, current acting head of NTIA.
Baker will be speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 10, according to an NTIA spokesman, so she will be there at least that long. But she has not yet been asked to stay on, so would thus exit Jan. 20 with other political appointees when the new president takes over.
One school of thinking is that, for continuity’s sake, she might stay on through the end of the coupon program March 31.
In announcing the pick, President-Elect Barack Obama cited the importance of jump-starting the economy, and did mention the protection of intellectual property as a priority, but did not mention the DTV switch.
Jay Rockefeller (S-W.VA), soon to be chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee with oversight of the DTV transition, praised the selection, but also made no mention of the DTV transition.
"I look forward to working with Secretary-Designee Richardson to create good-paying jobs and promote economic development; restore our manufacturing sector; increase our competitive edge; encourage foreign investment in our highly productive workforce; and, promote American goods and services around the world," he said. "There is much work to do and I can’t wait to tackle the challenges ahead immediately – there is not a moment to waste.”
"We look forward to working with governor Richardson," said National Association of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton. "He brings a wealth of understanding to the position given his background on the House Telecommunications Subcommittee back in the 1980's. He is well respected throughout Washington and by the people who know him best," said Wharton, "including New Mexico broadcasters."
-
Aldo: Disenfranchising millions who depend on free, over-the-air TV will cost many, many millions in advertising makegoods alone. Haven't seen this angle covered by the trades. On the coupon program: if there were no subsidy at all, those boxes would be selling for $25-30 retail -- not much more than what consumers have to shell out in cash even with their $40 coupons. We'll probably get a more precise accounting when Ms. Baker is called before Congress for a much-needed post-mortem. If you read this article, perhaps you'll come to another conclusion: nowpublic.com/world/u-s-tvs-digital-deadline-obama-eras-first-consumer-crisis
Vic Livingston, columnist, members.nowpublic.com/scrivener - 12/3/2008 6:04:00 PM EST -
Delaying the transition will cost more money and accomplish nothing. The press has been alerting the public about this for more than a year now. Another delay would simply cause more confusion.
I have already predicted that the cutoff date will come and go with a few glitches, but no public outcry. Let's see who's right on this one. (Too bad I won't profit by a good call.)
If the new administration wants to hedge its bets, let them provide more funds for additional coupons after the transition date.
And Meredith Baker did an admirable job running the coupon program. The President-elect should consider keeping her on.
Aldo Cugnini - 12/3/2008 4:30:00 PM EST -
RICHARDSON CAN AVOID A DTV FIASCO... by asking Congress for new legislation to "conform" analog shut-off with Canada's Aug. 31, 2011, target date. To to otherwise is to take the hit for Obama's first domestic crisis. The reasons why:
nowpublic.com/world/u-s-tvs-digital-deadline-obama-eras-first-consumer-crisis
Vic Livingston, columnist, members.nowpublic.com/scrivener - 12/3/2008 3:44:00 PM EST
