"The technology industry played a vital role this legislative session in shaping public policy that will create jobs, stimulate investment and allow the Internet to continue to expand and flourish," said Steve Kester, vice president of state policy for AeA Texas Council. "From creating targeted economic development programs, to improving technology-related programs in public and higher education, to curbing SPAM, the technology industry had great success in working with the Texas Legislature."
In the fall of 2002, AeA organized the Texas Technology Summit, bringing together the state's elected officials and technology leaders to help define an industry agenda for the 2003 legislative session. The result was a coordinated effort that led to a number of far-reaching legislative accomplishments in the areas of economic development, technological improvements in the state's education system and streamlining regulations for the Internet.
Highlights for AeA's 2003 legislative agenda include the Texas Enterprise Fund, a $295 million program that provides funding for the Texas Technology Initiative; a bill that allows Texas to join other states in the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (SSTP) agreement; legislation that provides strong restrictions and penalties for unsolicited email, otherwise known as "SPAM;" and the creation of a series of Technology Immersion Pilot Programs designed to study educational improvements associated with the use of technology in the classroom.
"In a difficult economic year for the technology industry and for Texas, AeA had a number of significant legislative 'wins,'" said Geoff Wurzel of National Semiconductor and Co-Chair of the AeA Texas Council Public Policy Committee. "The governor, lieutenant governor and the Legislature are to be commended for their efforts to stimulate the state's economy and encourage technological innovation."
In addition, AeA worked to prevent deep cuts to important education programs and defeated proposals that could have been detrimental to the technology industry, according to the association.
From AeA News
