THE GOOD NEWS: Last week, as part of Senate Budget Reconciliation activity, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a proposal which will allow for up to 30,000 unused H-1B visas to be recaptured and added on to the current cap of 65,000.

In addition, the Senate committee freed up an additional 90,000 employment-based visas (green cards) per year for the next five years. The provision also states that spouses and minor children would no longer be counted towards the annual cap on green cards. This is a very positive development for the high- tech industry.

The Judiciary Committee also increased the application fees on H-1B visas, L visas, and green cards by $500. This will help Congress raise around $300 million in additional revenue for each of the next five years.

This important proposal was introduced by the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter (R-PA) and strongly supported by fellow committee members Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Senator Kennedy has been a significant advocate on immigration issues related to high-skilled workers.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on this proposal prior to Thanksgiving. AeA expects opposition to these immigration proposals and will be lobbying key Senators to ensure passage.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS: There is significant opposition to these changes in the House of Representatives. Key Members of the House do not support the increase in the H-1B limit or the release of the green cards. In the next few weeks, AeA will be calling on executives from member companies to participate in a phone-in lobbying campaign with targeted Senators and Representatives, seeking their support on these provisions. 

John Palafoutas (bio)
Sr. VP of Domestic Policy and Congressional Affairs

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Under the E-Recycling Bill, manufacturers would face stiff fines for failing to meet the operative minimum recycling standard, which requires the collection and recycling of:

• 30% of all covered electronic waste by January 1, 2010
• 55% of all E-Waste by January 1, 2015 
• 80% of all E-Waste by January 1, 2018

Fines for failing to meet the minimum standard would be between $5,000 and $10,000 for the first offense, $10,000 and $20,000 for the second offense, and $20,000 and $30,000 for the third and subsequent offenses.

More troubling, beginning January 1, 2009, any manufacturer found not to be in compliance with the standard may be prohibited from selling any and all of the program’s covered electronic equipment in the City of New York.

AeA's New York office, through AeA/SGA, has hired a contract lobbyist to follow this issue as our first step in neutralizing this initiative. We have also begun a two-fold education effort in both the New York City Council and Mayor Bloomberg's office to help promote current industry initiatives to increase the recycling of e-waste, as well as current efforts already in place in New York City.

AeA continues to look for member companies to help support our advocacy strategy and assist in educating Council members on the shortcomings of the bill.  Currently 21 of the 51 Council members support the bill, which is only five votes shy of the necessary majority approval.

For a full analysis of the bill visit, www.aeanet.org/NYCewaste , or for more information on how to get involved contact Marc-Anthony Signorino at 202.682.4428 or via email at msignorino@aeanet.org.

Marc-Anthony Signorino (bio)
Director, State Government Affairs

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ACT Teleconferencing Offers New AeA Customers 
Free Minutes & Lower Rates

AeA and ACT Teleconferencing are pleased to offer 1,000 free audio conferencing minutes in the month of November for new AeA Conferencing participants. In addition, ACT has significantly reduced their rates on audio, video, and web conferencing services for AeA members. New rates include:

• Audio Conferencing from $.04 per minute  
• Web Conferencing from $.08 per minute

To sign up to receive 1000 free minutes*, contact Jeremy Willius at 800.228.2554 x4355. And if you are paying more than $.06 per minute for toll free audio, then enroll in the AeA Conferencing program. To sign up or for a complete list of member and non-member pricing, visit www.aeanet.org/conferencing.

* Offer only available to current AeA members. Not available to current ACT customers. Offer good for 1,000 total conferencing minutes from November 1- November 31, 2005. 

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New FREE Online Tool for AeA Trust Participants: Aetna EZLink^TM

Aetna EZLink^TM, is a secure internet-based benefits administration solution which reduces the amount of time and money spent on benefits administration. 

This useful tool supports online eligibility, enrollment and account maintenance, as well as electronic billing and payment. Other benefits include: 

	Aetna Employee Self ServiceTM (ESS) for open enrollment and life events processing;
	Consolidated electronic billing for Aetna Health and Group Insurance Products;
	Flexible online payment options including electronic funds transfer (EFT), wire transfer or automated clearing house (ACH); and
	Data exports and standard benefits administration reports.

For more information about Aetna EZLink^TM, or about receiving an AeA Trust quote, please contact Veronica Franco, AeA Product Manager, at 202.682.4459.

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Venture Capital Investments Rise Modestly in 2004
High-Tech Venture Capital:  1998 -2004
(in billions of current U.S. dollars)

Venture capital investments in the high-tech industry rose in 2004 by 10 percent to $11.8 billion. High-tech venture capital peaked in 2000 at $67 billion and, after falling for three years in a row, is beginning to grow again.

Source:  PricewaterhouseCoopers/Thomson Venture Economics/
National Venture Capital Association MoneyTree^TM Survey

For more information on Industry Data and AeA Publications visit
www.aeanet.org/research

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Full Events Calendar

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