Google and Verizon have released a joint proposal for legislation supporting an open Internet, refuting claims that the two companies were working on a deal that would let Google pay Verizon for special treatment for its content.

The companies laid out seven major points that they hoped the legislation would address. Many were aimed at issues relating to net neutrality.

In particular, the companies say their proposed legislation would forbid the type of agreement they were accused of making:

This means that for the first time, wireline broadband providers would not be able to discriminate against or prioritize lawful Internet content, applications or services in a way that causes harm to users or competition.

Importantly, this new nondiscrimination principle includes a presumption against prioritization of Internet traffic - including paid prioritization. So, in addition to not blocking or degrading of Internet content and applications, wireline broadband providers also could not favor particular Internet traffic over other traffic.

The proposed legislation would include a proviso that broadband providers could offer "additional, differentiated online services," possibly including "health care monitoring, the smart grid, advanced educational services, or new entertainment and gaming options." They note that protections would be in place to make sure these services weren't used to get around net neutrality laws.

However, it still sounds like the companies are leaving a loophole. As the companies write:

We both recognize that wireless broadband is different from the traditional wireline world, in part because the mobile marketplace is more competitive and changing rapidly. In recognition of the still-nascent nature of the wireless broadband marketplace, under this proposal we would not now apply most of the wireline principles to wireless, except for the transparency requirement. In addition, the Government Accountability Office would be required to report to Congress annually on developments in the wireless broadband marketplace, and whether or not current policies are working to protect consumers.

It sounds like things are being left open so that wireless carriers could still manipulate traffic, though the proposal states that carriers should be monitored and it should be easy for consumers to find out what's going on.

Aneesh Chopra, President Obama's appointee for national chief technology officer, is not giving interviews until after he's confirmed. But as Virginia's technology secretary, he was known for finding creative ways to bring broadband to remote rural areas of that state. He's also a booster of electronic medical records and understands that ubiquitous broadband is needed to enable their fullest impact: Chopra was quoted in this story last year saying: "People are literally dying because they can't get the broadband they need to run the [medical] software."

With any luck the appointment of Chopra will translate into the wise expenditure of $7.2 billion set aside in the stimulus bill to promote broadband expansion. Chopra will be the national technology policy counterpart to Obama's chief information officer, Vivek Kundra, who will oversee an overhaul of the federal government's computer infrastructure. Kundra was previously CTO for Washington, DC.

Tech industry bigwigs have fallen over themselves to praise the Chopra appointment--but what else would they do? Cynicism aside, some more neutral observers share the optimism, and predict that technology is an area where Obama has the highest chance of making his mark on the nation, given that war, an economic crisis, and gridlock in Congress may hamstring him on other fronts.

In announcing the appointment in his radio and video address last Saturday, Obama said Chopra will promote technological innovation "to help achieve our most urgent priorities, from creating jobs and reducing health care costs, to keeping our nation secure."

Chopra and Kundra "will be recognized in several years as the biggest agents of 'change' Obama promised and delivered," Andrew Rasiej, founder of Personal Democracy Forum, an annual conference, told me. "Technology in an Obama administration will be more than just a slice of the pie. It will be the pan that supports change in all the issue areas he will address as president."

To what extent can information-technology investments spur economic growth? In a joint letter to Congressional leaders, 116 infotech CEOs and business leaders today said that if Congress spent $40 billion on smart electric-grid upgrades, broadband infrastructure, and health-care IT systems, the result would be 949,000 new U.S. jobs. "Information and communications-enabled technologies improve energy efficiency, help doctors save lives and money in health care, catalyze new business models and entrepreneurs, enable educational improvements and empower individuals to take more control over their lives," the group wrote. "Those nations with the most advanced digital infrastructure will reap the largest benefits and lead in next generation jobs, services and companies."

The House has put forward an $825 billion stimulus package; it explicitly includes $11 billion for smart-grid upgrades and research, $20 billion for health-care information technology, and $6 billion for wireless and broadband infrastructure grants. With the package working its way through Congress, the letter went to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and House Republican leader John Boehner. Such investments will "provide our nation with a near-term stimulus and long-term comparative advantage," the group wrote.