WELCOME!

In many states and municipalities, telecommunications issues will be at the top of legislative agendas in 2005. Anticipating this, The Heartland Institute, National Conference of State Legislatures, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other civic and business groups have organized this conference. Issues on the agenda include telecommunications taxes, universal service reform, municipally owned telecommunications systems, telecommunications reform and economic growth, and competition in telecommunications. Why telecom reform, and why Chicago? Telecom reform is an urgent issue: Illinois and other states are planning to rewrite their telecommunications regulations during 2005 and 2006. Municipalities are grappling with the challenge of losing revenues with the sudden arrival of VoIP. Efforts have begun to rewrite the federal Telecommunications Act. December 2004--after the 2004 elections are over, but before the 2005 legislative sessions begin--is an excellent time for state and municipal officials to come together to discuss their options. A focus on public policy: Major conferences on telecommunications and related issues occur around the country, but often they cover a wider range of topics and controversies concerning the digital economy. This conference will focus entirely on one research question: Do the sweeping social and economic changes caused by the digital economy require similarly dramatic changes in public policy? Outside the beltway, away from the ski lifts: Other conferences take place in the political hothouse of Washington, DC, where lobbyists and bureaucrats outnumber elected officials and real digital entrepreneurs, or in resort locations where costs (travel and otherwise) are high and a largely predictable subset of the industry will be represented (those with time and money). Chicago, by contrast, is centrally located and easy to reach by plane; meeting facilities and accommodations are modestly priced. Registration includes all presentations, all conference materials, and breakfast and lunch on both Friday and Saturday. We look forward to seeing you there!