Economic Climate

AeA members believe they best serve the public good by creating high wage jobs, participating in their communities, and supporting public benefits through significant individual and corporate contributions to the state and local tax base. We ask Washington lawmakers to support policies including those listed below.

• A broad-based tax structure that balances contributions by business and individuals. Targeted tax incentives that encourage new company formation, private research and development, and continued reinvestment in Washington.
   
• A regulatory environment that is responsive, flexible and supports today’s economy.
   
• Address the rising costs of health care coverage.
   
• Infrastructure that supports growth and productivity.
   - Transportation funding to address congestion,
   - Increased and more uniform broadband deployment
   - Reliable and affordable energy

Education

At the K-12 level AeA will continue to work to ensure a quality education for all students so they may access higher educational opportunities or career choices that meet their goals and provide an adequate standard of living.

• Maintain high academic standards and meaningful assessments for all students, including a focus on math and science skills.
   
• An equal opportunity for all students - regardless of their geography, economic background, heritage, or gender - to pursue a rigorous curriculum and strive for high achievement.
   
• Accountability at the state, local and student level.

In higher education AeA will focus on access to additional opportunities for students to earn science, mathematics, engineering, and other technology-related degrees. AeA will advocate for improvements in programs, cooperation among institutions and industry partners, appropriate funding levels for public and private institutions, and ongoing measurement of outcomes.

Electronic Commerce and the Internet

Washington should follow the old maxim to physicians -- “First, do no harm.” Many of the most prominent public issues involving the Internet – such as privacy– are issues best debated and resolved at the federal level. The national and global nature of the Internet makes regulations at the state level problematic.

Essential to the growth of emerging technologies is the ability for them to develop without undue interference from government. AeA asks lawmakers to take a measured approach to consideration of any taxation or regulation of innovations such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and radio frequency identification technology (RFID). Any policies should create a level playing field and be non-discriminatory.

We encourage public leaders to advocate for the growth of e-businesses and e-commerce by supporting the growth of high bandwidth in communities and widespread use of e-commerce techniques within government itself.

Environment

The high-technology industry changes rapidly and needs to move quickly to meet changing market demands. Products are commonly brought from conception to market in a little as 9 months. As such, we need a regulatory system that is responsive, flexible, and grounded in good science. Environmental regulatory agencies need adequate support to do their job, but they also need to be accountable for results. We oppose new regulatory schemes that seek to address the “fear of the day” which slow innovation and place undue costs on companies without being based upon adequate data or reliable science.

Key Contacts:

AeA
19203 36th Ave W
Bldg. 4 Ste. 208
Lynnwood, WA 98036
425.775.6168

January 2008

This page was last updated on 01/10/08.  
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