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WTIA
Government Affairs Update for Member Company Executives
Dear Member,
The WTIA is actively
engaged on a wide range of public policy issues on behalf of you, our members.
From state tax incentives to national trade policy, the WTIA lobbies elected
officials and policymakers at all levels to improve education, open new markets
and advocate on legislation that affects your bottom line and the state’s
business climate for the technology industry.
Below are some quick bits of information on current issues that WTIA
is involved in. If you want to know more or get involved, please
contact WTIA’s Vice President of Government and External Relations Lewis
McMurran at Lmcmurran@washingtontechnology.org or by phone at (206)
448-3033 x101.
State Budget
With slowing tax revenues there is
enormous pressure on the state’s fiscal situation. In
2009 legislators will be faced with difficult decisions to balance the state budget.
They will have to cut spending, increase taxes or both. Higher
education will be a primary target for reduced spending. The
WTIA will continue to support further investments in higher education, particularly
around degree granting capacity for STEM disciplines.
Education
WTIA has been at the
forefront of increasing math standards in Washington’s
K-12 schools. The State Board of Education voted in July 2008
to increase the graduation requirement in math to 3 credits from two and making
the third credit be Algebra II or equivalent. WTIA will stay
engaged in K-12 funding, teacher preparation, testing and technology issues.
Click here for more information.
Youth Internet Safety
Young people today
are increasingly being targeted by cyber-bullies, online sexual predators and
Internet scammers. To help combat this problem, the Attorney General has
convened a Youth Internet Safety Task force. As a participant in the task force,
the WTIA is helping to devise education standards that will ensure that students
have the age and grade-appropriate information they need to protect themselves
when online. Click here for more information.
Health Care
As the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket,
Association Health Plans (AHPs), like the one offered by the WTIA to its members,
provide affordable, comprehensive health insurance to small businesses and individuals.
The state of Washington
has formed the Health Insurance Partnership (HIP), an effort to make health care
plans accessible to small businesses. The WTIA, working with other associations,
is actively lobbying to ensure that AHPs are not adversely affected by the HIP.
Click here for more information.
Broadband
While Washington
is one of the more “wired” states in the U.S., there are still many areas of
the state, both rural and urban, that lack reliable and affordable high-speed
Internet access. As a member of the state’s High Speed Internet
Strategy Work Group, the WTIA is working to make broadband available to all citizens
and businesses in Washington. Click here for more information.
WTIA Political Action
Committee
With elections approaching,
it’s important to note that the WTIA’s political action committee
provides financial support to incumbents and candidates who have a solid record
of support for issues that matter to the WTIA’s membership. We
rely on the non-deductible contributions of WTIA member companies and employees
to fund the WTIA PAC. Please give generously today.
Click here to download the contribution form.
Sincerely,
Ken Myer
President & CEO
For information
about the benefits associated with Washington Technology Industry Association
membership, including discounted event registration, industry resources, and business
and health insurance, please go to:
Benefits
To
access our online member application, please go to: Membership Application
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