Expansionary Institute

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

The position would be modeled after a similar job created in Virginia in
1998 by Gov. James Gilmore to promote Virginia as a location for technology
firms. It would also be similar to the Cabinet-level "drug czar" job created
during the administration of Bush's father, giving the czar greater status
than current government positions related to technology, such as heading the
Federal Communications Commission or Federal Trade Commission.

Among the names being mentioned for the job are former Sen. Spencer
Abraham of Michigan, who authored legislation on digital signatures, and
Silicon Valley venture capitalist Floyd Kvamme.

Analysts contacted by the Times appeared split on what the tech czar
position would actually mean in terms of steering government policy.

Lezlee Westine, co-director of the Palo Alto, Caif., lobbying group
Technology Network, said the move would "bring the 'new economy' agenda to
the White House."

Others, however, believed Bush's plate was too full with other
long-simmering Republican priority issues such as tax cuts, education and
reforms of social programs.

With a virtual party deadlock in Congress, some analysts questioned
whether Bush would want to quickly dive into tech-related issues such as
Internet sales taxes, open access to cable television lines and online
privacy.

"Bush already has a very full agenda of very big issues," said Scott
Cleland, technology analyst for Washington's Precursor Group. "Technology is
clearly not going to be a top-tier policy priority of this administration."

Nevertheless, Bush aides have already been making the rounds in Silicon
Valley to sound out their feelings on matters --  including a tech czar and
possibly convening a high-tech summit meeting next month, the newspaper
said.
--
Copyright 2000 by United Press International.
All rights reserved.