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AeA New England Team
 

From the Executive Director:
Looking Ahead --  Challenges and Opportunities for 2007 

We’re very pleased to announce our 2007 program schedule.  It includes some great new programs designed to deliver AeA members the critical and relevant information you need to stay at the top of your game. Please take a minute to read through our events calendar.  We're sure you’ll find lots of new programs you’ll want to attend.

As we look ahead to a New Congress and changes in state legislatures across the country, it's clear that it is in the best interests of technology leaders to become increasingly engaged in the public debate on a host of issues.  Our elected leaders, newly elected and incumbents alike, need to hear from you on how our new and existing technologies work, and what issues are important to your company's success. 

We've prepared an overview of The New Congress and High Tech which I encourage you to read and to share with members of your Board of Directors, investors, customers and staff.  There are many key issues that will be the focus of proposed legislation in the year ahead.  Never has it been more important for members of the technology community to be vocal advocates for innovation and a competitive economic environment.

In recent years, we have seen a growing number of legislative proposals that pose threats to the high-tech industry and could impact your ability to manufacture and sell your product, proscribe procedures for product end of life issues, increase your taxes, dictate privacy and data handling procedures and much more.

Among the issues we are addressing on your behalf are:

• Competitiveness and Education:  K-12 Education, Math, Science and Engineering Training
• E-Commerce: Spam, Spyware, Security Breach, Identity Theft, FCRA, Internet Business Regulation, Information Sharing, Data Security 
• Energy: Energy efficiency, alternative energy technologies
• Environmental Regulation: E-waste, WEEE, RoHS, REACH, EuP and other restrictions on hazardous substances
• International Trade: China, India, Doha Development, Free Trade Agreements, Trade Promotion Authority
• Broadband: Net Neutrality, VoIP, Access Fees, Broadband, ISP Blocking, Theft of Services,
• Intellectual Property:  Digital Copyright, Patent Law Changes
• Offshore Outsourcing
• Privacy: Online Privacy, Data Privacy, RFID/Commercial Privacy, Social Networking
• RFID: Regulations Limiting or Banning its Use
• Tax: Streamlined State Sales Tax, Internet taxation, R&D tax credits

Throughout the year ahead, AeA will continue to keep you up to date on changes in state, national and international laws and how these will impact your company. 

I invite you to learn more about these issues, or to get involved in AeA's grassroots efforts.  Take a moment to view AeA position papers on these issues or call the AeA office.  (Members only login is required.) You can also choose to play a more active role by participating on a host of AeA committees.  (For a recent update on Massachusetts, see the latest issue of AeA New England's Legislative Alert for a quick review of 2006 and a look ahead to 2007.)

As we move into a new year, please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and suggestions on how we can improve the level of service we provide to you and your company.  We’re here to serve you!  I can be reached at 781.938.1925, x105 or anne_doherty_johnson@aeanet.org.

Add Your Voice to the Debate:
Join Us June 5th at our Annual Capitol Hill Lobbying Day in Washington

The industry’s ability to influence public policy at the state legislative and regulatory level is more important than ever. AeA is proud to be the only high-tech trade association with an established grassroots network and the ability to protect your interests comprehensively at the state level. 

AeA's state government affairs program is member-driven, and our policy committees actively monitor and help shape legislation in a number of critical issue areas important to the technology community. If you are interested in getting more involved in shaping these issues, please contact me. Your participation in some key committees will help the industry to fight off these challenges.

Alternatively, to stay in the know on key developments, you can also subscribe to AeA newsletters that will alert you to important legislative developments that could impact your company, both here in New England and in other areas in which you do business. Find detailed info on AeA newsletters.