Professor Emeritus Minot State University - Dr. Tom Seymour

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Twitter 101

Twitter 101, Part 1
By Ron Jones , March 30, 2009

There's a lot of buzz right now about Twitter, which has emerged as one of the most popular social media tools. This three-part article is for those who are just getting started with Twitter or who simply want to know what it is and how it works. I'll cover everything you need to know about setting up and using a Twitter account, and share some tools and resources to help you leverage Twitter to market yourself or your company.

What Is Twitter?

Twitter is a social media tool that lets users send out short messages (or "tweets") that are picked up and read by anyone who decides to follow you. This is also referred to as micro-blogging. I like the idea of keeping your message down to 140 characters, because it forces you to be succinct and to the point.

Some have started a Twitter account, sent out a message or two, and then wondered what the big deal is. The big revelation to me came when I found all of the supporting applications and tools that were an adjunct to the Web site. Once you start using some of these tools, the light bulb will go off and you'll find many uses for Twitter. Here are a few:

Personal promotion and broadcasting
Business promotion and broadcasting
Reputation/brand monitoring
Competition monitoring
Event monitoring
Information gathering/research
Search engine
Setup

The mechanics of setting up Twitter is relatively straightforward. Just go to Twitter's site and click the Join button. But before you do, it's important that you take time to consider a few things before you send out your first "tweet."

First, think about what you want to accomplish and how you want to be perceived. What is your brand strategy, personal or business?

When picking a user name, consider using your name or your company's name instead of a nickname. This will allow people to know who you really are. This is important if you're interested in branding yourself or your company. Also, a real name or company name allows people to find you easier.

Here are some tips about setting up your Twitter account:

Personal Bio: Consider what to use as your profile description. Again, Twitter forces you to keep it short -- 160 characters, to be exact. Use a couple of professional statements (or more) followed by a personal statement. For example, my bio is: "Internet Marketing Specialist, Trainer, Speaker, Columnist and Avid Cyclist." Regardless, let people know who you are and what you do so potential followers have enough information to decide if they want to follow you.
Profile Picture: Please take the time to get a real picture of yourself or company logo. You won't be taken seriously if you use the default picture. Think of how you want to be perceived. A professionally shot photo of yourself can go a long way to promoting your personal brand. Smile and give followers some insight into your personality, be creative. Headshots stand out more when your picture has to be condensed down to fit within some applications.
Background Picture: Next is your background picture. Twitter has some template backgrounds you can use. Pick something that is contextual to your brand strategy. Create your own if you really want to stand out. If you do, remember that people use various screen resolutions, so you need to make it big enough so it doesn't tile. Also, Twitter doesn't give you much space for your bio, so you can use the left side of your custom background picture to display more information about yourself, like your blog or another related Web site.
Following and Listening

You're almost ready to start tweeting. But first, here are a couple more things to consider.

Find people who have similar interests to you and "follow" them. In the top menu, select "find people" and search for friends or companies you'd like to follow. Now look at all of those tiny picture icons representing people they're following. Click "view all" to see the entire list. Click on anyone you'd also like to follow. In short order, you'll be following 30 to 40 people.

At this point, just take the time to "listen" to the conversation. See what's being said and how it's said. You'll probably see some strange language or symbols like RT, @ or #. Don't worry about this yet, I'll cover this in Part 2. Just get a feel for the conversation.

Building Relationships

Before you begin tweeting, think about your conversation and what you can provide your followers that will give them value. You're basically building relationships. To do so, you need to give before you receive.

People like tips, statistics, opinions, and links to relevant articles. Once you have a good handle on your messages, tweet away.

In the next two installments, we'll discuss some of the syntax, and review tips on taking Twitter to the next level. I'll share a boatload of links to tools and resources that will enhance your Twitter experience. And feel free to follow me at twitter.com/ron_jones.

Back to Article

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

North Dakota Department of Human Services

NEWS from the North Dakota Department of Human Services

600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck ND 58505-0250

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Heather Steffl 328-4933 or 527-7445
March 30, 2009

ND Department of Human Services Office Closure and Staffing Update

BISMARCK, ND - The North Dakota Department of Human Services announces the following closings and program staffing due to blizzard conditions and flood response for March 30, 2009:

CLOSED FACILITIES

Dickinson service sites are closed.

· Dickinson Regional Child Support Enforcement Office – closed due to weather

o Individuals who need assistance with payment information, problem resolution, or who are updating their contact information can contact Child Support Enforcement Customer Service toll free at 1-800-231-4255, e-mail: socscs@nd.gov, or can conduct business on-line at www.childsupportnd.com.

· Badlands Human Service Center is closed today. Clients have been notified when possible. The Crisis Line is staffed and can be reached at 866-491-2472 (toll free) or 701-290-5719.

OTHER SITES ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Regional Child Support Enforcement Offices located in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, and Williston, are open and the State Office/State Disbursement Unit is open in Bismarck.

Southeast Regional Human Service Center in Fargo - OPEN

· Southeast Regional Human Service Center in Fargo is open, and employees not dealing with flooding are reporting to work.

· Medical services staff are keeping appointments as scheduled, with some staffing changes.

· Clinical and direct care staff members are assisting with about 68 vulnerable persons who have evacuated as a preventative measure to a special needs shelter located in West Fargo.

· Alcohol and drug treatment and other evening therapy programming have been canceled. Staff are contacting clients to provide support.

In addition to the Fargo site, regional human service centers in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, and Williston are open and serving clients.

The State Hospital in Jamestown and the Developmental Center in Grafton provide 24-hour care and never close. They continue to care for some vulnerable individuals evacuated due to flooding concerns in Fargo.

# # #

Monday, March 30, 2009

Technology Review

Technology Review: March/April 2009
The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2009
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Technology and Optimism
Why technologists are so confident.
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Medical tests for poor countries need to be properly field-tested.
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Why we need a new language for artificial intelligence.
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Nuclear power should be part of the renewable-energy portfolio.
By Andrew Kadak
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TB Drug Compliance
Paper drug tests and text messaging could help thwart the most deadly strains of tuberculosis.
Nanotube Electronics
Prototypes bring practical nanotube devices closer
Buzz Meter
Data mining sheds light on what makes news.
Electric Avenue
Amid a welter of high-profile announcements, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will remain rare sights.
Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrids
The CAPTCHA Arms Race
Researchers mull the next step in spam deterrents.
Networking Stays Connected
Communications companies buck the fourth-quarter slide. Features
A Zero-Emissions City in the Desert
Oil-rich Abu Dhabi is building a green metropolis. Should the rest of the world care?
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But Who's Counting?
No one really knows how many people visit websites. A San Francisco startup and Google are both working to change that.
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Cisco's Padmasree Warrior tells us what role a U.S CTO should play.
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Carefully grown carbon nanotube arrays could be the basis of new energy storage devices and chip cooling systems.
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Fattened voter databases will prove to be among the 2008 presidential race's most enduring legacies.
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A Hole in the Genome
A small chunk of DNA chunk may change how we think about disease.
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Why we love the machines we shouldn't.
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How Lasers Can Heal Surgeons' Incisions
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Sunday, March 29, 2009

North Dakota House Appropriations Committees

Appropriations (Rep. K. Svedjan) Roughrider Room
(EE) Approp - Education & Environment (Rep. B. Skarphol) Sakakawea
(GO) Approp - Governmnt Operations Div (Rep. J. Delzer) Medora Room

(HR) Approp - Human Resources Division (Rep. C. Pollert) Roughrider Room

Hearing Date Time Bill/Res.No Sub-Comm Description/Note

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/30 8:00 AM Full Committee
Committee Work

2:15 PM EE Committee Work
GO Committee Work
HR Committee Work

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/31 8:00 AM Full Committee
Committee Work

2:15 PM Full Committee
Committee Work

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4/01 8:00 AM Full Committee
Committee Work

2:15 PM Full Committee
Committee Work

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4/02 8:00 AM Full Committee
Committee Work

2:15 PM Full Committee
Committee Work

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4/03 8:00 AM Full Committee
Committee Work

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Education in the United States

ED REVIEW
March 27, 2009

...a bi-weekly update on U.S. Department of Education activities relevant to the Intergovernmental and Corporate community and other stakeholders
______________________________________________________________________
ARRA OUTREACH

Looking for an overview of the education provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)? The Department has released a PowerPoint presentation on guiding principles and funding availability. The ARRA contains more than $100 billion in direct education funding for the next two fiscal years and $39 billion in bonding authority and tax credits. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/presentation/.

The Department's television team recently visited Vernonia, Oregon, a community whose schools and economy could benefit considerably from the ARRA. Schools were flooded over a year ago. Classes are being held in modular classrooms -- with one set of bathrooms for nearly 400 students. Budget cuts have already impacted school supplies, and the specter of teacher layoffs looms. Find out how educators and other community members believe the ARRA will reinvigorate Vernonia's schools. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/2009/vernonia.html. (Note: Vernonia's story was part of the March "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast detailing the ARRA, which is archived at http://www.connectlive.com/events/ednews/.)

A reminder from the Office for Civil Rights: "Federal agencies will shortly begin distributing funding from the ARRA. They must do so in accordance with all non-discrimination and equal opportunity statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that apply to the distribution of funds under the ARRA. Agencies that grant funds must also ensure that recipients and subrecipients comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, and national origin discrimination, including language access for persons with limited English proficiency), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibiting disability discrimination), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting sex discrimination in education and training programs), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (prohibiting age discrimination in the provision of services), and many program-specific statutes with non-discrimination requirements." FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/notices/civil-rights.html.

Note: Don't want to miss a thing? Get ED ARRA news by visiting www.ed.gov/recovery/ or by subscribing to the ED ARRA RSS feed at http://www.ed.gov/rss/arracomms.xml. If you are interested in other ED news and resources (in addition to the ARRA), subscribe to the ED RSS feed at http://www.ed.gov/rss/edgov.xml or track ED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/usedgov/.
______________________________________________________________________
MIDDLE CLASS TASK FORCE

On March 19, the Secretary joined Vice President Joe Biden and three other Cabinet secretaries for the second meeting of the Middle Class Task Force in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The task force took questions submitted from people all over the country at the New Flyer of America Bus Company -- a growing leader in transit innovation and low-emission, alternative fueled vehicles. The task force also released a report explaining how, over the past decade, median family income has become decoupled from productivity in the broad economy. The report goes on to explain how the ARRA, beyond simply offering a basic stimulus to the economy, provides avenues by which to correct this underlying disconnect. Indeed, the ARRA is focused on the long-term health of the middle class. For example, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which increases the maximum tax credit for higher education (from $1,800 to $2,500), extends the duration of the credit (from two to four years), and makes the credit partially refundable, empowers families to make sure their children have the education they need to succeed. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/strongmiddleclass/.
______________________________________________________________________
SCIENCE EDUCATION

On March 20, Secretary Duncan addressed 4,000 attendees at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. "Science education is central to our broader effort to restore American leadership in education worldwide," he began, offering up stark figures on the standing of U.S. education in the "science race." Fortunately, he continued, "[President Obama] understands that a nation not only needs its poets and scholars to give us words and wisdom, but also its inventors and engineers to design new cell phones, rebuild the levees of New Orleans, and find new sources of energy and new treatments for disease. Moreover, he is a president who will not allow scientific research to be held hostage to a political agenda. Whether it's global warming, evolution, or stem cell research, science will be honored, respected, and supported by this administration." The Secretary also challenged science teachers to "move the curriculum beyond dinosaurs and volcanoes" and take the best ideas "to scale in tough inner-city districts…as well as rural areas that cannot find qualified teachers in every subject." "You need to make inquiry-based science relevant to kids, stimulate their curiosity, connect it with their lives," he concluded. "Together, we need to change the national dialogue about science, to prepare our kids to be both honestly critical and technically competent." FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/2009/03/03202009.html.
______________________________________________________________________
NEW APPOINTMENTS

President Obama intends to nominate Gabriella Gomez as the Department's Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs. Gomez currently serves as Senior Education Policy Advisor for the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Education and Labor. Previously, she was Assistant Director of the Department of Federal Legislation for the American Federation of Teachers. In 2007, she received a fellowship from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute -- an program aimed at bringing talented Hispanic leaders to work in Washington. She earned her B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, her M.Ed. from Harvard University, and studied British Policy at the London School of Economics. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-3/19/09/.

Also, Secretary Duncan recently named Jo Anderson, Jr., as a Senior Advisor, responsible for outreach to teachers and teacher organizations. Anderson currently serves as Executive Director of the Illinois Education Association. Before assuming that post in 2005, he held a variety of other positions within the organization, working on issues such as school restructuring and professional development. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/03/03122009.html.
______________________________________________________________________
DIGEST OF EDUCATION STATISTICS

The "Digest of Education Statistics, 2008," from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), is the 44th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education -- from pre-kindergarten through graduate school -- drawn from government and private sources, but especially from surveys and other activities led by NCES. The digest contains data on the number of schools, students, and teachers, as well as statistics on educational attainment, finances, libraries, technology, and international comparisons (see also below). Details on population trends, education attitudes, labor force characteristics, and federal aid supplies helpful background for evaluating the education data. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009020.

Other new NCES publications:
"Comparative Indicators of Education in the U.S. and Other G-8 Countries: 2009" (http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009039) describes how the U.S. system of education compares with education systems in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Nearly 30 indicators are organized into five core sections: (1) population and school enrollment; (2) academic performance (including subsections for reading, math, and science); (3) context for learning; (4) expenditure for education; and (5) education returns. One key finding? The U.S. was the only G-8 country to award more first-time university degrees in the arts and humanities than in science, math, and engineering.
"Characteristics of Private Schools in the U.S.: 2007-08" (http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009313) presents K-12 private schools by selected characteristics, such as school level, school size, religious orientation, geographic region, urbanicity type, and program emphasis. One key finding? Of the 306,605 private school graduates for the 2006-07 school year, 65% attended a four-year college or university by the fall of 2007.
"The Literacy of Foreign-Born Adults in the U.S.: 2003" (http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009034) fully explores the English literacy of foreign-born adults living in households in the U.S., providing the English literacy scores of foreign-born adults age 16 and older by race/ethnicity, age of arrival in the U.S., years spent in the U.S., highest level of educational attainment, and language spoken before starting school. The scores are reported on three literacy scales: prose, document, and quantitative. Findings indicate that literacy scores of foreign-born adults varied across a variety of background characteristics.
______________________________________________________________________
CIVIC RENEWAL

The White House has issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) in support of Congressional action on bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1388 and S. 277) that will expand high-quality service opportunities and position the federal Corporation for National and Community Service to support both growth and excellence in the programs it oversees. The President has called on all Americans to participate in civic renewal. The bills would expand the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000 -- up from 75,000. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/111/legislative_sap_date/.
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE

"I was heartened by the reaction to the President's speech [to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce]. Union leaders vowed to have an open mind on issues like performance pay, higher standards, and charters, asking only that reform be done 'with them, not to them.' Officials at every level of government are also broadly supportive. They are…asking the right questions. How can we ensure that taxpayer dollars make a meaningful and lasting difference in the classroom? How can we make sure these funds are spent effectively? The answer is simple. We are demanding absolute transparency for every dollar spent, and we will use the power of the bully pulpit and…the purse to reward what is working and to reform what is not. At a minimum, the [ARRA] will help keep teachers teaching and students learning. But, if all we do is perpetuate the status quo, we will miss this historic opportunity."

-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (3/23/09), in an op-ed published in the Dallas Morning News
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its EnergySmart Schools Program, is hosting a live webcast on April 16 entitled "Implementing Recommendations from the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings." Presenters Shanti Pless and Paul Torcellini of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will present a comprehensive overview of the guide, which provides recommendations -- based on climate zones -- to achieve 30% energy savings over baseline standards in new and renovated school building projects. Participants who are also members of the American Institute of Architects are eligible to earn learning credits. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energysmartschools/aedg_webcast.html.

Speaking of buildings, April 27-May 1 is School Building Week 2009. Supported by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International, School Building Week is a celebration of school facilities, including a School of the Future Design competition, Healthy Schools Day, a historic look at schools through children's eyes, a focus on excellent schools that serve as centers of community, and a variety of national, state, and local events. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.cefpi.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3338. (Note: School facility modernization and renovation was the feature in the March issue of the Department's Education Innovator newsletter. See http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/innovator/2009/0326.html#1.)

Next week, the Department will exhibit at the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education's National Conference on Blacks in Higher Education in Atlanta (April 1-4), the National Association of Elementary School Principals' Annual Convention in New Orleans (April 2-6), and the National School Boards Association's Annual Conference in San Diego (April 4-7). If you are attending any of these events, please stop by the Department's booth.
______________________________________________________________________

Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications and Outreach with any questions:
Program Analyst -- Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!),
contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.

This newsletter contains hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user's convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.

Friday, March 27, 2009

SRT Technology News by Tom Thomas in Minot, North Dakota

Greetings,

Spring began in March and we're showering you with fresh ideas. We start with a warning about a new spin on an old scamfraudulent IRS e-mail messages that talk about a stimulus payment to lure you into revealing personal information. Also included in this issue are instructions to help freshen up your computer skills. Learn a trick for copying and pasting text from a webpage to a word processing document as well as how to copy e-mail message files to a backup folder. In Great Sites, you'll find resources for all kinds of adventures, whether you want to book a flight, take a close look at the ocean, or cook restaurant meals at home.

The goal of our monthly newsletter is to keep our subscribers informed regarding their Internet connection and to improve their Internet experience. We think you'll find this information interesting. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.

To see what's inside this issue, simply scroll down the eNewsletter or click on the links within the index to the left. Thanks for reading!

- The SRT Internet Team

E-Mail Scam - Beware Of "Stimulus Payment" IRS E-Mail Scam

Don't believe it if you get an e-mail that appears to be from the Internal Revenue Service saying you're due for a stimulus payment. According to the IRS, it's part of the latest tax-related phishing scam designed to get personal information from you such as bank account or Social Security numbers. These e-mails, often bearing the IRS letterhead, tell users they must fill out and submit a form in order for the stimulus payment to be processed. The message then says to follow a link to a website or to complete an attached document.

Remember, the IRS does NOT send unsolicited e-mail about tax account matters to taxpayers. Should you receive an e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, DO NOT REPLY, CLICK ON ANY LINKS, OR PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. Users receiving these fraudulent IRS e-mails are encouraged to forward the message and the website URL to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. After you forward the e-mail, delete the message.

If the IRS ever needs to contact you about a tax refund or audit, they will do so by traditional mail. When you need to access the IRS website to get information or download forms, initiate contact by typing the www.IRS.gov address into your browser window.

For more information about reporting and identifying IRS e-mail scams, go to: http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html?portlet=5

Ask The Help Desk - Can I Paste Text From A Webpage Without Tables Appearing?

Question: When I'm researching new recipe ideas, I like to copy and paste text from webpages to a document. Often when I do this, the text from the webpage shows up encased in boxes or tables. This is annoyingI just want the text by itself. Is there a way to prevent this formatting from appearing? I use Windows Vista, Internet Explorer 7, and Microsoft Works Word Processor.

Answer: I agree that those boxes and tables from webpages can become an aggravation when you're working in a document created in your word processing program. Fortunately, there's an easy little trick to eliminate them. Select the text from the webpage you would like to copy. While in Microsoft Works, choose "Paste Special" from the Edit Menu instead of selecting "Paste" like you would normally do. A "Paste Special" dialog box will appear. Choose "Unformatted Text" from the list of options and then click on "OK." All the webpage text will appear in your document, but without the formatting. If you want to grab pictures along with the text when you use "Paste Special," choose "Formatted Text." With this choice, you'll see the webpage with pictures and some formatting. You may also get unwanted links or addresses, but those can be easily deleted in your document. Most word processing programs offer the "Paste Special" option including Microsoft Word.

Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In March

On the Fly
http://flightstats.com - Whether you're an experienced traveler or a novice, you'll want to explore this site before you fly the next time. You'll find detailed information about each airport, including current "delay index" scores (indicating the likelihood of flight delays), weather, and user ratings. You can also check arrivals and departures for each airport, and even see the real-time progress of most commercial flights on Flight Tracker maps.

Google Ocean
http://earth.google.com/ocean - Ever wish you could go on an ocean adventure? Here's your chance! This new addition to Google Earth allows you to virtually dive below the surface of the ocean, relive exciting expeditions with ocean explorers like Jacques Cousteau, and learn about sea animals. You can save your virtual adventures to share with others, and test your knowledge about oceans all over the globe.

Restaurant Recipes
http://topsecretrecipes.com - You may be cutting back on eating out to save money these days. However, that doesn't mean you have to do without those special dishes you enjoy at chain restaurants. Visit this popular site from cookbook author Todd Wilbur to find recipes for clones of brand-name foods. It's easy to search by restaurant name or food type. And to spice up the fun, don't miss Todd's latest cooking video.

Great Grandparenting
http://grandparents.com - Grandparents will love this site's many ideas for building great relationships with their grandchildren. There's something for everyone here including suggestions for age-appropriate children's activities, vacations, meals, and toys. Visitors can also get expert advice, sign up for a weekly newsletter, and participate in online discussions.

Retirement Ready
http://socialsecurity.gov/estimator - Planning for retirement can be complicated. This helpful site enables you to get information about one critical component of itSocial Security. By providing some basic information, you can find out how much you are likely to receive in Social Security benefits. You can also create scenarios to determine the best time to start receiving your benefits.

Short Tutorial - Copying E-mail Message Files To A Backup Folder

A great deal of important information is contained within your e-mail messagesinformation that can be lost in an instant in the case of hard drive failure, computer viruses, or other accidents. You can help avoid these risks by backing up your e-mail message files on a regular basis and storing them to an external media such as a zip disk or CD-R.

To manually backup this information, follow the steps below for your e-mail program:

Copying E-mail Message Files to a Backup Folder Using ...
- E-mail Program: Outlook Express 6
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP
With Outlook Express open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" located on the menu bar and select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Options window opens, click on the "Maintenance" tab.
Click on the "Store Folder..." button located in the "Cleaning Up Messages" section.
When the Store Location dialog box opens, copy the file path.
Click your cursor arrow on the "Start" button and then "Run..."
Paste the file path from the Store Location dialog box in the "Open:" field of the Run window and click "OK."
When the Outlook Express window opens, click on the "Edit" tab and then choose "Select All" from the resulting drop-down menu.
Click on the "Edit" tab again, choose "Copy," and then close the window.
Create a new folder by right-clicking on your desktop, select "New," and then choose "Folder."
Name the folder (something like "E-mail Backup") and press the "enter" key.
Open this new E-mail Backup folder.
Once the folder is open, right-click in the empty space and select "Paste."
The file can now be burned to a CD or copied to your external disk drivesuch as a flash drive or external hard drive. Whichever external media you choose, be sure to keep it in a safe place.
Copying E-mail Message Files to a Backup Folder Using ...
- E-mail Program: Windows Mail
- Computer Operating System: Windows Vista
With Windows Mail open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar and select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Options window opens, click on the "Advanced" tab.
Select the "Maintenance..." button in the "Maintenance and Troubleshooting" section.
When the Maintenance window opens, click on the "Store Folder..." button in the "Cleaning Up Messages" section.
When the Store Location dialog box opens, copy the file path.
Click your cursor arrow on "Start," then "All Programs," then "Accessories," and then "Run."
Paste the file path from the Store Location dialog box in the "Open:" field and click "OK."
Click on the "Organize" tab and then choose "Select All" from the resulting drop-down menu.
Click on the "Organize" tab again, choose "Copy," and then close the window.
Create a new folder by right-clicking on your desktop. Select "New" and then choose "Folder."
Name the folder (something like "E-mail Backup") and press the "enter" key.
Open this new E-mail Backup folder.
Once the folder is open, right-click in the empty space and select "Paste."
The file can now be burned to a CD or copied to your external disk drivesuch as a flash drive or external hard drive. Whichever external media you choose, be sure to keep it in a safe place.
Copying E-mail Message Files to a Backup Folder Using ...
- E-mail Program: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows Vista
With Thunderbird open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" in the menu bar and select "Account Settings..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
When the Account Settings window opens, copy the file path listed in the "Local directory:" field under the "Message Storage" section.
Click your cursor arrow on "Start," then "All Programs," then "Accessories," and then "Run."
Paste the file path from the Account Settings window in the "Open:" field and click "OK."
Click on the "Organize" tab and then choose "Select All" from the resulting drop-down menu.
Click on the "Organize" tab again, choose "Copy," and then close the window.
Create a new folder by right-clicking on your desktop. Select "New" and then choose "Folder."
Name the folder (something like "E-mail Backup") and press the "enter" key.
Open this new E-mail Backup folder.
Once the folder is open, right-click in the empty space and select "Paste."
The file can now be burned to a CD or copied to your external disk drivesuch as a flash drive or external hard drive. Whichever external media you choose, be sure to keep it in a safe place.
Archiving E-mail Message Mailboxes to a Backup Folder Using ...
- E-mail Program: Apple Mail 3.1
-Computer Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5
With Mail open, select the mailboxes you would like to archive in the mailbox pane on the left. Use shift-click (holding down the "shift" key while left-clicking your mouse) to select mailboxes that are next to each other and command-click (holding down the "command" key while left-clicking your mouse) to select mailboxes that are not next to each other. (Some keyboards have an apple icon on the "command" key instead of the word "command.")
Click your cursor arrow on "Mailbox" in the menu bar and select "Archive Mailbox" from the resulting drop-down menu. A navigational window will appear.
Choose a folder or other location to save your archived mailboxes, or create a new folder by pressing the "New Folder" button. The default location is the Documents folder but you can place your archive on the desktop or on other attached drives or partitions. For this tutorial, we will create a new folder in the Documents folder called "Mail Archive." Click on the "New Folder" button and the New Folder dialog box will appear.
Type the name of your folder, in this case "Mail Archive," and click the "Create" button. The new folder will appear highlighted in the navigational window.
Click the "Choose" button. Your mailboxes will be archived into the folder you just created. If you do the same archiving procedure next week, your old archive won't be overwritten. A new archive will be created with a number appended to the file name.
The file can now be burned to a CD or copied to your external disk drivesuch as a flash drive or external hard drive. Whichever external media you choose, be sure to keep it in a safe place.

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.

Thank you for your business!

Best regards,

Tom Thomas
Product Coordinator

SRT Communications
3615 North Broadway
Minot, ND 58703

(701) 858-1200

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

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Information Technology Council of North Dakota - Legislative Information

Legislature in Recess Until Monday

The North Dakota Legislature recessed Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, to allow lawmakers to return home to help battle rising floodwaters. It will reconvene on Monday, March 30.

All bills are required to be out of committee by the 55th legislative day, which, due to the recess, will not occur until Monday, March 30. The remaining bills are expected to be on the floor of their respective chamber early next week, and then move into conference committee if necessary. ITCND will continue to closely monitor bills as they move onto the chamber floor or into conference committee.

Key Hearings Held March 23-27

SB 2062 – Support

SB 2062 was heard before the House Appropriations Education and Environment Subcommittee March 23. Included in the bill is the creation of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) loan forgiveness program. The House Education amendments decreased the amount and duration of loan forgiveness from $2,000 for up to five years to $1,500 for up to four years and also stated the program would not accept new applicants following the 2009-11 biennium. The current total appropriation for the program is $1.7 million, which is split between SB 2062 ($1 million) and SB 2003 ($696,000). Attached is the testimony of ITCND Executive Director Deana Wiese in support of SB 2062.

Status of Key Bills

SB 2040 – Support

SB 2040 was given a 21-1 “do pass” recommendation by the House Appropriations Committee March 23. This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for new or replacement equipment used for telecommunications infrastructure development. It will now go to the full House for final passage.

Hearing Schedule and Status Report (March 30-April 3)

The committee hearings for bills ITCND is monitoring are completed. The work will now take place in subcommittees and conference committees. A status report for the bills being tracked by ITCND is attached.

For More Information

If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.

Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.

How to Contact Your Legislators

During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator's bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.

Addressing Mail Correspondence

To a Senator:

Honorable (full name)

State Senator

600 E. Boulevard Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58505

Dear Senator (last name)

To a Representative:

Honorable (full name)

State Representative

600 E. Boulevard Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58505

Dear Representative (last name)

2009 Legislative Deadlines

Date

April 10

April 30
Topic

Good Friday

Session is limited to 80 legislative days

Legislative Bills Tracked

Appropriation Bills

SB 2003 – North Dakota University System – Support

SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota – Support

SB 2018 – North Dakota Department of Commerce – Support

SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education – Support

SB 2021 – Information Technology Department – Support

Other Bills

HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records – Track

HB 1202 – Relating to entrepreneurship awards; relating to the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota development fund, incorporated, use of funds for entrepreneurship awards; and to provide an expiration date – Track

SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment – Support

SB 2062 – STEM loan forgiveness program – Support; Opportunity grant program – Support

SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders – Support

SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property – Track

SB 2269 – Relating to angel fund investment income tax credits – Support

SB 2325 – Relating to the streamlined sales tax agreement – Track

SB 2347 – Relating to gross receipts from the sale of items delivered electronically – Track

SB 2390 – Relating to the establishment and development of certified technology parks – Track

Minot State University Public Announcements

March 26, 2009 Campus Announcements

Events

‘Aaltra’ and ‘L’avocat de la Terreur (Terror’s advocate)’ rescheduled for Sunday
The French movie “Aaltra,” which was scheduled for this evening (March 26) has been postponed until Sunday (March 29) in Aleshire Theater, 3 p.m. “L’avocat de la Terreur (Terror’s advocate),” previously announced for Tuesday (March 24), will also be shown at that time. Weather concerns caused the cancellation of both screenings. For questions, contact 858-4335 or amina.escalera@minotstateu.edu.
--Amina Escalera, instructor of French

‘Friends in Recital’ perform Sunday
Margi Coxwell, associate professor of education, Selmer Moen, professor of computer science, Kari Files, instructor of organ, Gary Stenehjem, a Minot State University alumnus, DeVera Bowles, assistant professor of music, and Joann Martinson, an MSU alumna, will present “Friends in Recital” Sunday (March 29) at First Presbyterian Church, 3 p.m.

Organ, vocal and harp music will be performed, with a free-will offering being taken to benefit the MSU’s Organ Scholarship Fund. The local chapter of the American Guild of Organists sponsors this fund.

The impetus behind the recital is that Coxwell will be moving to Durango, Colo., at the end of May. She has served as co-organist at First Presbyterian Church for the past four years and has played, worked or sung with each of the other people in the recital. This will be a kind of “swan song” for her … a farewell to Minot after living here for seven enjoyable years.

MSU in the News
(To inform the MSU community of Minot State items in the media, the Office of Public Information will provide links to items.)

Today’s Minot Daily News featured a story on “Friends in Recital.”
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/525957.html

The Employee Appreciation Banquet is on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27Om2gUIVI

Absence Confirmation

Confirmation of anticipated student absence from class for National Association for Campus Activities Conference
The following students will be unable to attend classes April 1-5 in order to travel to and from or participate at the National Association for Campus Activities Conference in Rochester, Minn.:

Kayla Cote
Annamaria Holt
Melissa Hoots
Amber Jensen
Kevin Leier
Sarah Perry

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 858-3364 or leon.perzinski@minotstateu.edu or Ann Rivera, student activities coordinator, at 858-3987 or ann.rivera@minotstateu.edu. Thank you for your cooperation.
--Leon Perzinski, director of the Student Center
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notifying the Office of Student Life or faculty members through the Office of Public Information (using this format or by any other means) does not constitute an excused absence. Whenever a student anticipates an absence, he/she should contact the appropriate faculty member prior to missing class.

It is up to the discretion of the faculty member whether or not students will be excused from class or allowed to make up any missed work. Each faculty member establishes his/her own guidelines regarding class absence, and whether or not a student will be allowed to make up missed work.*
*Based upon “Class Absence Policy,” 2000 - 2002 Student Handbook - Minot State University.

Reminder: Check the campus calendar on the MSU home page for additional events at http://www.minotstateu.edu/.

-------------------------------

Public Information Campus Announcements Archives:

http://www.minotstateu.edu/newsletter/archive.php

-------------------------------

7e469985dddf63f41336d9510a252cbf

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lobby for Teacher Education

ALERT...ALERT...ALERT...ALERT...ALERT...ALERT...ALERT...ALERT...ALERT

March 25, 2009

ACT NOW TO FUND NEW PREPARATION PROGRAMS FOR FACULTY AND TEACHERS IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT

Attached is a Dear Colleague being circulated by the office of Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) (Download it here)
It is asking other Members of the House of Representatives to sign on urging the appropriators to fund these important new programs in the FY 2010 appropriations bills.
We know at least one Republican will be signing on, so this will be a bi-partisan letter
Two of the programs will go directly to higher education to prepare teachers and faculty

ACTION NEEDED

CALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE AND URGE THEM TO SIGN ON
TELL THEM HOW IMPORTANT THESE PROGRAMS ARE TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER PREPARATION, ADDRESS FACULTY SHORTAGES AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
ASK THEM TO CONTACT LILLIAN PACE IN REP. YARMUTH'S OFFICE AT 202-225-5401 TO SIGN ON (THIS INFORMATION IS IN THE LETTER)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE PHONE NUMBER OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
NOTE: DEADLINE IS NEXT WEDNESDAY APRIL 1.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

North Dakota Oil News

New Members – Thanks to the new Petroleum Council members Ebeltoft Sickler Law Firm, Saddle Butte Pipeline, Baranko Bros, Inc., and Wood Energy, Inc.

Big Crowd in Regina for the 2009 Williston Basin Petroleum Conference – To date, there are nearly 550 people registered for the 17th Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Prospect Expo in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, April 26-28, 2009. Early registration for the event ends March 30, 2009. Booths are sold out, but there are sponsorship opportunities and limited space remaining for the workshops. Registration and information for the Conference is available at http://www.wbpc.ca/.

Oppose Obama Tax Increases – The Petroleum Council is developing a program specific to North Dakota to allow you to contact the North Dakota delegation and urge them to oppose any tax increases on the oil and gas industry. The industry has brought great prosperity to North Dakota and had an $8.2 billion economic impact on the state in 2007 while adding thousands of high-wage jobs, creating great wealth in the state, and is one of the primary reasons for the state’s $1.2 billion budget surplus. The proposed tax increases could reduce exploration budgets by up to 50% in North Dakota, potentially resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and creating a down-turn in our state’s economy. The site will be available by April 1, 2009 at www.ndoil.org.

Petroleum Council Education Scholarships Available - The Petroleum Council will provide four $500 scholarships for students attending a North Dakota college who are pursuing a degree in a field related to engineering or geology in the oil and gas industry. The scholarship applications must be submitted to the Petroleum Council by April 1, 2009. http://www.ndoil.org/?id=98

Air Emissions Surveys for the Williston Basin - The Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States (IPAMS), along with the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP), is sponsoring a regional oil and gas emissions inventory for the Intermountain West. The result will be an accurate, comprehensive criteria pollutant emissions inventory for all sources associated with the exploration and production of oil and gas in the major basins throughout the six-state (CO, MT, ND, NM, UT, WY) study region for baseline year 2006, as well as future projection years. The inventory has been completed for the D-J, Piceance, and Uinta Basins, and data collection has recently begun for the San Juan, four basins in Wyoming, and the Williston Basin.

Data collection involves surveying operators in each basin for data on a variety of emission sources. The Petroleum Council is working with IPAMS on this project and would very much appreciate your help with this project by filling out the surveys (available on the IPAMS web site at http://www.ipams.org/advocacy/) for your operations in the Williston Basin. The web site includes more details, instructions, and the survey form. Completed surveys are due by May 1, 2009, if possible. All information will be held in strict confidence and only aggregated data at the county level will be released, not company-specific data. Please contact Kathleen Sgamma at (303) 623-0987 for more information. Thank you very much for your help.

Research Council Grant Application Deadline is June 1 – The next grant round for the ND Oil & Gas Research Council deadline is June 1, 2009. For more information on submitting a grant for this round, see http://www.nd.gov/ndic/ogrp/info/ogrcsubgrant-app.pdf.

SPCC Rules Workshop -- The EPA will conduct a Spill Prevention, Control and Containment outreach workshop in Fargo, ND April 8, 2009 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm at the Cass Fargo Emergency Management facility. Facilities engaged in drilling, producing, gathering, storing, processing, refining, transferring, distributing, using or consuming oil and oil products are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is not necessary, but if you plan to attend, email Melissa Payan (payan.melissa@epa.gov) with the number of participants attending. If you have any questions, contact Melissa at 303-312-6568. For details, see http://www.epa.gov/region8/opa

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

North Dakota Sena te Appropriations Committee Hearings

Appropriations (Sen. R. Holmberg) Harvest Room

Hearing Date Time Bill/Res.No Sub-Comm Description/Note

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/20 8:30 AM HB 1057 Relating to department of veterans' affairs employees;
and relating to county veterans' service officers

9:00 AM HB 1256 Relating to income tax treatment of qualified dividend
income

10:00 AM HB 1407 Relating to an economic development transportation fund;
relating to the collection and distribution of highway
funds; relating to the registration fee for the public
transportation fund

10:45 AM COMMITTEE WORK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/23 8:30 AM HB 1540 Relating to the funding of economic assistance programs
in counties with federally recognized Indian reservation
land

9:00 AM HB 1399 To provide for a legislative council study of American
Indian bilingual education

9:45 AM HB 1327 Relating to nursing facility beds

10:30 AM HB 1324 For allocation of state economic stimulus payments among
taxpayers; relating to a reduction in income tax rates
for individuals, estates, and trusts

2:30 PM HB 1400 Relating to school personnel, program and course
requirements, assessments, career development facilitation
state aid payments, early childhood education, school
calendars, course requirements, state aid payments, early
childhood education, teacher compensation increases,
high school graduation requirements

3:45 PM COMMITTEE WORK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/24 8:30 AM HB 1418 Relating to early childhood care workforce development.
child care capacity, and quality improvement for early
childhood facilities

9:15 AM HB 1255 Relating to corporate income tax rates

10:15 AM HB 1433 Relating to nursing home rates; to provide an
appropriation; to provide legislative intent; and to
declare an emergency

2:30 PM COMMITTEE WORK (AFTER FLOOR SESSION)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/25 8:30 AM HB 1478 Relating to eligibility under the state children's
health insurance program

9:00 AM Bills may be added

9:15 AM COMMITTEE WORK

11:00 AM PICTURES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CLERKS IN THE GREAT
HALL

2:30 PM COMMITTEE WORK (AFTER FLOOR SESSION)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/26 8:30 AM COMMITTEE WORK

9:00 AM Bills may be added

2:30 PM COMMITTEE WORK (AFTER FLOOR SESSION)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3/27 8:30 AM COMMITTEE WORK

9:00 AM Bills may be added

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inside Higher Education

Daily News Update
March 24, 2009
Hello. Here's what's new on our site today:
News
So Many Students, So Little Time
March 24, 2009
Higher Ed Holdings' recent efforts to partner with one university were thwarted amid faculty outcry. At other universities, however, the company's model is going forward -- raising concerns about whether mass education online is coming at the expense of individual interaction, and evaluations based on essays as opposed to multiple choice.

» View full article
Adjunct Solidarity
March 24, 2009
Weber State didn't expect anyone outside Utah to notice the plan to cut base pay by 7% for those off the tenure track. Then the letters started to arrive.

» View full article
The Tenure-Track (Busy) Sociologist
March 24, 2009
A discipline finds that -- unlike much of higher education -- it is not increasing its reliance on adjuncts, but is seeing the permanent faculty's teaching load go up.

» View full article
Competing With Publics on Price
March 24, 2009
Two private colleges create or expand programs that lower tuition for students who are admitted to local state universities.

» View full article
New Presidents or Provosts: Adelphi U., California Lutheran U., U. of Oregon, Valparaiso U., Vermont State Colleges
March 24, 2009
» View full article
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become presidents (or return to the
faculty)? See ACEbs new study.

Quick Takes
» Irvine Prof, Ending Standoff, Receives Anti-Harassment Training
» MIT Will Provide Open Access to Articles
» Ward Churchill's Day in Court
» Supreme Court Lets Stand a Loss for Men's Sports
» After She Helped Student Journalists, She Was Denied Tenure
» Questions About $50M Grant for Texas A&M
» Leon Kass Named to Deliver Jefferson Lecture
» IIE Releases Report on Study Abroad and STEM
» Downturn Prompts Minnesota-Crookston to End Hockey
» Movement to Ban Bottled Water Hits Canada
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March 24, 2009
Given the competition, acceptance to selective colleges has become almost a random process. Why not end the myth, Chad Aldeman writes, and admit qualified students using a raffle?

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BlogU
Mothering at Mid-Career: One Busy Week
Mama PhD
March 23, 2009
Ibm not sure Ibve ever had a week like this as an academic. My week started with a meeting, and it will continue with meetings and teaching and conferences and travel b and, maybe, a trip to ...

The One With Nudity
Confessions of a Community College Dean
March 23, 2009
I use the gym on campus, since it's cheap and convenient to work. It's nicer than some private health clubs I've seen locally, and it seems like a nice 'campus loyalty' thing to do.All of which is ...

Science, journalism and other sports
Getting to Green
March 23, 2009
Saturday, the Washington Post finally published the news that George Will has been intentionally misinforming his readers on the topic of climate change. (Previous attempts to get ...

Spring Break 2009
The Education of Oronte Churm
March 23, 2009
Some of my students may be joshinb me; they all insist theybre going home to study, eat a few good meals, and get some rest this week. None will admit to planning to spend the next few days ...

THE POND GONE BLACK
University Diaries
March 23, 2009
Go wrapYour head in the snowy riversOf the Brooks Range. And that's what Nicholas Hughes did. His father, Ted Hughes, in his bitter poem, "The Dogs Are Eating Your Mother," advised his children to ...

Monday, March 23, 2009

North Dakota Senate Appropriations Committee in bismarck

Sunday, March 22, 2009

North Dakota Telecom Legislaive Report

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 11 March 20, 2009

To: Members

From: David Crothers, Executive Vice President

The Association was encouraged this week by the support of legislators for two measures affecting the independent telephone industry in the State. Senate Bill 2040, a measure providing for a sales tax exemption for telecom infrastructure received a “Do Pass” recommendation for the House Finance and Taxation Committee.

Also receiving support was Senate Bill 2133, the proposal to allow the Veteran’s Home in Lisbon to receive their telecom services from a third-party vendor. Administrators from the Veteran’s Home had testified that there will be substantial cost savings, better service and specialized technology if they would be able to leave the State’s Information Technology Department and get their service from the private sector.

Both bills, however, now will go to the House Appropriations Committee for their review before going to the House floor for a vote.

The Association was profoundly disappointed, though, about a non-legislative matter that we have spent considerable time on in both the executive and legislative branches of North Dakota government. During the Board of Higher Education’s meeting in Bismarck yesterday, members voted unanimously to give approval to Chancellor Goetz’s request for reallocation of dollars and their support for Northern Tier Network. Chancellor Goetz told the Higher Ed Board that even though Governor Hoeven had eliminated funding of Northern Tier Network, the university system was still committed to the project.

The Association is unsure how Northern Tier Network’s application for Federal Stimulus Plan dollars will be submitted. The university system has the option of submitting the application directly to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, but they may seek to include it in Governor Hoeven’s list of priorities. The Association will continue to monitor the situation, as well as register our displeasure with the board’s action with the Governor’s office.
To call your legislator toll free the number is 1-888-635-3447. Bismarck-Mandan residents should call 328-3373.

HB 1054- A bill that directing the State’s Adjutant General to study next generation 911 on the public safety answering points in North Dakota. Specifically, the language requires a study of the technology needs relating to next generation 911, the most efficient method of implementing the new technology and exploring the use of shared technologies. The measure also questions whether there need to be any changes to the current 911 funding model.

Jan. 6 Introduced in House.
Jan. 16 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended “Do Not Pass”, 8-5.
Jan. 21 House Defeated 43-48.

HB 1135- A measure that expands the powers of the Emergency Services Communications Coordinating Committee. The three-person committee has representatives from the North Dakota 911 Association, Association of Counties and State Radio. The bill provides that the committee will also “serve as the governmental body for coordinating plans and implementing emergency 011 services and internet protocol enabled emergency networks.”

Jan. 6 Introduced in House.
Jan. 27 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 13-0.
Jan. 29 Rereferred to Political Subdivisions Committee.

Feb. 6 Reported back “Do Pass”, as amended, 13-0.
Feb. 13 House Passed 92-0.
Feb. 25 Introduced in Senate.
Mar. 5 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended "Do Pass", 5-0.
Mar. 9 Senate Passed 46-0.

HB 1175- Legislation introduced at the request of the State’s Department of Human Services that will allow the agency access to the databases of private industry, including independent telecommunications companies, for the purpose of searching for the names of both those that owe child support and those that are to receive it. As you will recall, representatives of the Department of Human Services made a presentation to attendees of the Association’s Summer Conference in Fargo last July on the subject. Despite the idea’s many proponents, there is a concern the language in the bill may conflict with aspects of the Federal CPNI rules telcos currently are forced to recognize.

Jan. 6 Introduced in House.

Feb. 18 Human Services Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 12-1.
Feb. 19 Rereferred to Human Services Committee.
Feb. 19 Human Services Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 12-1.
Feb. 19 House Passed 89-4.
Feb. 25 Introduced in Senate.
Mar. 13 Human Services Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 6-0.
Mar. 19 Senate Passed 46-0.

HB 1208- A bill that will provide penalties for “texting” while operating a motor vehicle. The proposal prohibits drivers from composing, reading or sending “electronic messages” while driving. The legislation does not ban or restrict voice communications. It does, though, specifically target e-mail, text messages, an instant message or accessing the world wide web. The first violation would result in a 2 point penalty, while a second and subsequent violations are 4 point violations.

Jan. 8 Introduced in House.

Jan. 23 Transportation Committee Recommended “Do Not Pass”,
9-5.

Jan. 29 House Defeated 60-34.

HB 1353- An initiative introduced at the request of Qwest Communications that will require political subdivisions to hold a preliminary design meeting with utilities whenever the company has to identify or relocate the underground facilities. Language within the bill would make the political subdivision liable for the costs to the utility of relocating if the government failed to give the utility notice of a meeting or fails to hold the meeting. Reportedly, the political subdivisions are unhappy with the legislation.

Jan. 12 Introduced in House.

Feb. 16 Political Subdivisions Committee Hearing.
Feb. 18 House Passed 94-0.
Feb. 27 Introduced in Senate.
Mar. 9 Industry, Business and Labor Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 7-0.
Mar. 12 Senate Passed 47-0.

HB 1412- The bill makes substantive changes in the State’s existing 911 laws by removing the $1.00 maximum charge political subdivisions may assess each wireline and wireless line within the political jurisdiction. It also removes the requirement that political subdivisions must go to the voters each six years to renew the 911 fee. Under the proposal, residents would vote on a “maximum” fee for their Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) in a one-time election. Any increases or decreases to the fee set by the governing body could only come about by a decision by the Commissioners or a petition signed by 10 percent of the qualified electors in the political subdivision.

Jan. 14 Introduced in House.

Feb. 16 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended "Do Pass" 11-1
Feb. 18 House Passed 57-37
Feb. 26 Finance and Taxation Committee Hearing.

HB 1518- Legislation that directs all telecommunications taxes collected by the State of North Dakota to the counties. Currently, the counties receive $8.4 million annually from the account funded by the gross receipts tax paid by the telecom companies operating in North Dakota. The current law was established in 1997 when lawmakers consolidated all of the different tax formulas imposed upon telephone companies into a single 2.5 percent gross receipts tax. At that time, the counties were guaranteed by statute that they would never lose any money under the new formula. Although the Association does not yet know how much is collected by the State’s imposition of a 2.5 percent gross receipts tax, it is anticipated to be substantially more than the $8.4 million. Our concern, of course, is that there are no proposals to raise the 2.5 percent level.

Jan. 19 Introduced in House. Referred to Political Subdivisions Committee.

Feb. 6 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 10-2.
Feb. 9 Rereferred to Appropriations Committee.
Feb. 13 Appropriations Committee Recommended “Do Not Pass”, 15-0.
Feb. 18 House Defeated 53-41

SB 2003-The appropriations bill for North Dakota’s university system. The measure includes specific language reducing the funding of Northern Tier Network from its $2.7 million level in 2007 to no dollars in the 2009-2011 biennium. However, in Section 6 of the legislation there is a provision giving the Board of Higher Education quite a bit of discretion in spending over $30 million in technology projects.

Jan. 6 Introduced in Senate.
Feb. 19 Appropriations Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 14-0.

Feb. 19 Senate Passed 46-0.
Feb. 26 Introduced in House.
Mar. 2 Appropriations Committee.

SB 2021-The bill is the Information Technology Department’s (ITD) appropriations bill. Of particular interest to members of the Association is ITD’s request for “one-time funding” in the amount of $1.2 million for increased bandwidth for K-12 institutions.

Jan. 6 Introduced in Senate.
Feb. 19 Appropriations Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 14-0.
Feb. 19 Senate Passed 46-0.
Feb. 26 Introduced in House.
Mar. 3 House Appropriations Committee.

SB 2040-A measure to provide a sales and use tax exemption for equipment used in telecommunications infrastructure development. Specifically, it will allow for gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property used exclusively in expanding or constructing telecommunications service infrastructure in the State are exempt from taxes under NDCC 57-39.2. The Association and others from the telcom industry testified in favor of the measure. We are currently working with the Tax Department to narrow the focus of the bill.

Jan. 6 Introduced in Senate.
Feb. 6 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 7-0.
Feb. 9 Rereferred to Appropriations Committee.
Feb. 17 Reported “Without Committee Recommendation” 12-2.
Feb. 18 Senate Passed 27-18.
Feb. 26 Introduced in House. Referred to Finance and Taxation Committee.
Mar. 9 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 9-3.
Mar. 18 Rereferred to Appropriations.
Mar. 23 House Appropriations Committee Hearing.

SB 2093-A measure to provide a sales and use tax exemption for equipment used in telecommunications infrastructure development. Specifically, it will allow for gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property used exclusively in expanding or constructing telecommunications service infrastructure in the State are exempt from taxes under NDCC 57-39.2.

Jan. 6 Introduced in Senate.
Jan. 12 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 7-0.
Jan. 14 House Passed 46-0.
Jan. 15 Received from Senate.
Mar. 3 FFinance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 12-0.
Mar. 4 House Passed 89-1.
Mar. 19 Signed by Governor.

SB 2133-Legislation that permits the North Dakota Veteran’s Home in Lisbon to purchase telecommunications services from the private sector. The Veteran’s Home would like an exemption from North Dakota law requiring that State agencies and offices receive their telecom from the Information Technology Department.

Jan. 6 Introduced in Senate.
Jan. 15 Government and Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing.
Feb. 6 Rereferred to Appropriations Committee.

Feb. 13 Appropriations Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 13-0.
Feb. 16 Senate Passed 47-0.
Feb. 25 Introduced in House.
Mar. 12 Government and Veteran’s Affairs Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 13-0.
Mar. 13 Rereferred to Appropriations Committee.

SB 2142-Language the modified the powers and duties of the Information Technology Department (ITD) and modifies the “required use” and information technology plan policies. Of particular concern to the Association is a provision within the proposal that will exempt institutions of higher education from ITD review of 1) project descriptions; 2) project objectives; 3) business needs; 4) cost-benefit analysis; 5) project risks; 6) information summarizing project objectives achieved; 7)project budget and schedule variances; and, 8) lessons learned regarding any major information technology project.

Jan. 6 Introduced to Senate.
Jan. 27 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 6-0.
Jan. 28 Senate Passed 46-0.
Feb. 26 Political Subdivisions Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 12-0.
Feb. 27 House Passed 85-1.

SB 2163-The measure permits North Dakota Public Radio to provide 911 services to political subdivisions with fewer than 20,000 people. Public Radio would receive compensation directly from the political subdivision and State Radio would serve as the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). We have been working with the N.D. Association of Counties to ascertain whether PSAP’s will continue to maintain their independence if they wish to fund their own system.

Jan. 6 Introduced to Senate.
Feb. 16 Government and Veterans Affairs Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 5-0.
Feb. 18 Senate Passed 36-0.
Feb. 25 Introduced in House.
Mar. 11 Government and Veteran’s Affairs Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 13-0.
Mar. 13 House Passed 92-0.

SB 2246-The legislation amends current property law in North Dakota to allow the majority of easements to run in perpetuity. Currently, the duration of an easement, servitude, or nonappurtenant restriction may not exceed 99 years.

Jan. 19 Introduced to Senate.
Feb. 17 Finance and Taxation Committee Hearing Recommended “Do Pass”, 4-3.
Feb. 18 Senate Defeated 31-15.

SB 2332-A bill that creates a Health Information Technology Office and an Advisory Committee. The new Health Information Technology Office and Health Information Advisory Committee will be responsible for making recommendations enabling implementation of a statewide interoperable health information infrastructure that is consistent with emerging national standards. The Health Information Technology Office is also charged with promoting the adoption and use of electronic health records and other health information technologies, as well as promoting interoperability of health information systems. The legislation also repeals the existing Health Information Technology Steering Committee. The bill has an appropriation of $5,923,572 for the biennium.

Jan. 20 Introduced to Senate.
Jan. 27 Human Services Committee Hearing.
Feb. 5 Rereferred to Appropriations Committee.
Feb. 18 Appropriations Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 14-0.
Feb. 19 Senate Passed 46-0.
Feb. 26 Introduced in House.
Mar. 7 Human Services Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, as amended, 12-0.
Mar. 18 Rereferred to Appropriations Committee.

SB 2347-A measure to allow for the collection of sales tax by the State for items delivered electronically. It would apply specifically to ringtones, sales of digital books and other similar products delivered to consumers.

Jan. 20 Introduced to Senate.
Jan. 23 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 7-0.
Feb. 4 Senate Passed 47-0.
Feb. 25 Introduced in House.
Mar. 5 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 11-0.
Mar. 6 House Passed 83-3.
Mar. 19 Signed by Governor.

SB 2390-The bill provides for the expansion of existing and the establishment of additional certified technology parks in the State of North Dakota. The legislation is unique in that it would create a hybrid special taxing district in which all of the State income taxes paid by employees within the borders of the research park, all assessable property taxes, and the proceeds of all State sales taxes collected would be remitted to the research park for their operations. Of special concern to the Association was language defining our members’ existing infrastructure as “public facilities” and giving the Department of Commerce the ability to set the prices we charge for telecom services. The Association has shared their objections to sponsors of the legislation and members of the committee. We have been assured by sponsors of the legislation that it was not their intention to provide governmentally-owned telecom facilities to the research parks.

Jan. 26 Introduced to Senate.
Feb. 5 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Not Pass”, 6-0.
Feb. 9 Rereferred to Finance and Taxation Committee.
Feb. 11 Finance and Taxation Committee Recommended “Do Not Pass”, as amended, 6-1.
Feb. 13 Amended on Floor.
Feb. 13 Senate Passed 42-3.
Feb. 17 Introduced in House.
Mar. 10 Industry, Business and Labor Committee Recommended “Do Pass”, 12-0.
Mar. 12 House Passed 90-2.

CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR TOLL-FREE: 1-888-635-3447
LOCAL TELEPHONE NUMBER: 328-3373
WEB PAGE ADDRESS: www.state.nd.us/lr/

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Medicare Update

Hello Everyone,

Please enjoy the information contained in this edition of Frontier Focus. Please be sure to share it with your members, colleagues, providers and office billing staff. Thank you for your continued efforts to broadcast Medicare information to the providers in Region VIII.

Table of Contents

1. DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation Reminder

2. MLN Matters Article Now Available On DMEPOS Accreditation!

3. Five-Star Quality Rating System Updates

4. March 24th is Diabetes Alert Day

5. March Flu Shot Reminder

6. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs

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1. DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation Reminder

Deadline is September 30, 2009

Time is running out for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) who bill Medicare under Part B to obtain accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. A new MLN Matters Special Edition articles on this subject is now available. This article outlines what you need to do if you have not yet complied with the Medicare Program’s supplier and quality standards to be come accredited. To view the article, go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0903.pdf on the CMS website.

While the accreditation process takes on average 6-7 months to complete, the process could take as long as 9 months to complete. Accordingly, DMEPOS suppliers should contact an accreditation organization right away to obtain information about the accreditation process and submit an application.

In order to retain or obtain a Medicare Part B billing number, all DMEPOS suppliers (except for exempted professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary) must comply with the Medicare program’s supplier standards and quality standards to become accredited. The accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment, medical supplies, home dialysis supplies and equipment, therapeutic shoes, parenteral/enteral nutrition, transfusion medicine and prosthetic devices, and prosthetics and orthotics.

Pharmacies, pedorthists, mastectomy fitters, orthopedic fitters/technicians and athletic trainers must also meet the September 30, 2009 deadline for DMEPOS accreditation. Certain eligible professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary are exempt from the accreditation requirement.

Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements, along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation, may be found at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/03_DeemedAccreditationOrganizations.asp .

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2. MLN Matters Article Now Available On DMEPOS Accreditation!

This is a reminder that DMEPOS (durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies) providers and suppliers enrolled in the Medicare Part B program are required to obtain accreditation by September 30, 2009. A new MLN Matters Special Edition article on this subject is now available. This article outlines what you need to do if you have not yet complied with the Medicare program’s supplier standards and quality standards to become accredited. To view the article, go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0903.pdf on the CMS website.

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3. Five-Star Quality Rating System Updates

1. The Five-Star provider preview reports are now available. Providers can access the report from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) State Welcome pages available at the state servers for submission of Minimum Data Set data.

Provider Preview access information:

· Visit the MDS State Welcome page available on the State servers where you submit MDS data to review your results.

· To access these reports, select the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) Reporting link located at the bottom of the login page.

· Once in the CASPER Reporting system:

i. Click on the 'Folders' button and access the Five Star Report in your 'st LTC facid' folder,

ii. Where st is the 2-digit postal code of the state in which your facility is located, and

iii. Facid is the state assigned facid of your facility.

2. The Five-Star Helpline will be open for providers from 9 AM to 5 PM ET beginning Wednesday, March 18 -Thursday, April 2, 2009 to address any March’s Five-Star data concerns.

3. Nursing Home Compare will update with March’s Five-Star data on Thursday, March 26, 2009.

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4. March 24th is Diabetes Alert Day

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. However, early detection and treatment of diabetes can prevent or delay many of the complications associated with the disease.

In conjunction with Diabetes Alert Day, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would like to remind health care professionals that Medicare provides coverage for several diabetes-related services, including:

· diabetes screening tests,

· diabetes self-management training,

· medical nutrition therapy, and

· certain other diabetes supplies and services.

CMS offers several educational products related to Medicare-covered preventive services, including diabetes services. Please visit the Medicare Learning Network (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/) for more information, including the following diabetes-related pages:

o The MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Web Page ~ provides descriptions and ordering information for Medicare Learning Network (MLN) preventive services educational products and resources for health care professionals and their staff. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp

o Diabetes-Related Services Brochure ~ This tri-fold brochure provides health care professionals with an overview of Medicare's coverage of diabetes screening tests, diabetes self-management training, medical nutrition therapy, and supplies and other services for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/DiabetesSvcs.pdf

o To order copies of the brochure, go to the MLN Product Ordering System located at: http://cms.meridianksi.com/kc/main/kc_frame.asp?kc_ident=kc0001&loc=5

o The CMS website provides additional information about the Medical Nutrition Therapy benefit at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicalNutritionTherapy/

For more information diabetes, please visit the National Diabetes Education Program website at http://www.ndep.nih.gov/ . This site contains several publications to help you educate your patients about diabetes prevention, including The Road to Health Toolkit, which contains resources specifically tailored for community health workers in Hispanic/Latino and African-American communities, who are at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes.

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5. March Flu Shot Reminder

It’s Not Too Late to Give and Get the Flu Shot!

In the US, the peak of flu season typically occurs anywhere from late December through March; however, flu season can last as late as May. Each office visit presents an opportunity for you to talk with your patients about the importance of getting an annual flu shot and a one time pneumococcal vaccination. Protect yourself, your patients, and your family and friends by getting and giving the flu shot. Don’t Get the Flu. Don’t Give the Flu.

Remember - Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations plus their administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are NOT Part D covered drugs.

Health care professionals and their staff can learn more about Medicare’s Part B coverage of adult immunizations and related provider education resources, by reviewing Special Edition MLN Matters article SE0838 http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0838.pdf on the CMS website.

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6. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs

Do You Know Someone Who Is Having Trouble Paying For Prescription Drugs?

Medicare Can Help!

· If an individual has limited income and resources, they may qualify for extra help from Medicare. It could be worth over $3,300 in savings on prescription drug costs per year.

· Encourage people with Medicare to file for Extra Help online: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.

· State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) offices can assist with the application. Find contact information for a local SHIP Counselor at http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp or by calling

1-800-MEDICARE.

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Lucretia James

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Region VIII

1600 Broadway, Suite 700

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 844-1568

lucretia.james@cms.hhs.gov