The NCTA proposed changes that the next administration could make...

a clearer distinction between notices of inquiry and notices of proposed rulemaking. “In particular, broad inquiries that lack any tentative proposals should be deemed to be inquiries rather than NPRMs,” McSlarrow said. Once rulemakings are crafted, the public should know, he said. “It would also be important to make public the text of the rule or decision proposed for action no later than when the agenda meeting items are circulated.” The NCTA also laid out broadband stimulus and USF recommendations. It favors a technology-neutral approach to any broadband stimulus and thinks new deployments should be targeted in unserved areas, the letter said. Congress should also look at sparking demand for broadband by helping make computers and laptops more affordable, McSlarrow said. Meanwhile, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Secretary Daniel O'Connell sent the transition team a memo detailing his state’s public broadband-stimulus activities. The memo recommends giving states direct grants and offering loans, loan guarantees or tax incentives to private businesses. “If demographically-targeted outreach is contemplated to raise broadband adoption levels as part of the stimulus package, it may be best implemented in the form of flexible grants to states, counties or cities, or directly to non-profits,” the memo said.