• H-1B Visa and Green Card Reform - increase the numbers available to the high-tech industry
• STEM Education - promote Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education from K-12 and in university programs
• Workforce Compensation and Incentives – strengthen the ability of U.S. employers to recruit and retain a skilled workforce

E-commerce

• Data Breach – ensure that government policies to protect data and privacy do not harm the industry’s push for federal preemption of state data breach laws
• Privacy – ensure that any privacy legislation protects consumers while continuing to encourage e-commerce; push for federal preemption of state privacy laws
• Child Online Safety – ensure that any legislation regulates online behavior consistent with technological capabilities

Health Care Reform

• Health IT – reduce health care costs through deployment of Information Technology

International

• Export Controls – reform U.S. encryption and deemed export regulations
• Customs – maintain coverage for products under Information Technology Agreement
• China – stop Congressional legislation against China that could hurt member interests while engaging China on its restrictive policies related to indigenous innovation, IPR, standards, and government procurement
• Free Trade Agreements – get Congressional approval of agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama
• Environment – seek favorable outcomes in China RoHS catalogue and certification regulations; seek EU policies supporting development of energy efficiency technologies

Tax & Finance

• R&D Tax Credit – renew and seek a permanent extension of a strengthened credit
• Tax Reform – ensure that any tax reform legislation is positive for the high-tech industry and protects the industry’s ability to operate globally
• Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 – reduce the onerous and disproportionate business tax levied on small- and medium-sized companies by SOX 404 compliance

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For more information on AeA's Public Policy Priorities or to get involved, contact John Palafoutas, Sr. Vice President Domestic Policy and Congressional Affairs, at 202.682.4451.

Previous Years' AeA Public Policy Priorities
2007 AeA Priorities || 2006 AeA Priorities

This page was last updated on 02/28/08.  
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