September 2012, Issue 26 Connect with us:

ELECTION 2012   TECH ENTREPRENEURS   TECH WORKFORCE   CYBERSECURITY   GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY

Election 2012 Tech in the Party Platforms: A Recap of the National Party Conventions At the Republican and Democratic conventions, CompTIA joined a number of tech associations in sponsoring events highlighting the contributions of technology to the nation’s economy. Several members of the Senate and the House of Representatives attended the gatherings. While we had hoped there would be more of a focus on tech issues by both parties, there were various sections of each platform that are of interest to the tech community. Read more»   Tech Entrepreneurs Tax Reform: Equity for Small Tech Firms While Congress and the Administration concentrate on the upcoming elections, Middle East crises and keeping the government running, expiration of the Bush tax cuts looms as a huge issue for all Americans, especially small businesses.  Currently, business planning is near impossible, as major tax increases could take effect on January 1, 2013.  The potential expiration of these cuts could cause an economic slowdown as consumers and businesses face uncertainty on their 2013 tax bills.  Read more»   2012 CompTIA Tax Survey You’re invited to participate in the 2012 CompTIA Tax Survey. The goal is to identify issues that are important to small tech companies. The results of this survey will be used to develop a slate of policy and legislative recommendations for our 2013 public advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. This direct input from you is vital in educating lawmakers concerning the make-up of the IT industry, and how tax and regulations impact growth engines for the economy. Take the survey now» Tech Workforce CompTIA Takes Lead Role in Advancing STEM Learning Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced that CompTIA Workforce Development, LLC will serve as the lead entity for the Information Technology Learning Exchange – part of the Illinois Pathways Race to the Top education initiative supporting college and career readiness for students. The STEM Learning Exchanges are envisioned as public-private partnerships, with representation from educational institutions, student organizations, research centers, business and industry leaders, labor and professional organizations, state governmental agencies and community partners statewide. Read more»   Cybersecurity The First Salvo from the White House on Cybersecurity Last week, the White House issued a letter addressed to Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The letter states "the President is determined to use existing executive branch authorities to protect our nation against cyber threats."  This letter makes clear that in the absence of comprehensive cybersecurity legislation the White House will issue an Executive Order aimed at owners and/or operators of critical infrastructures. Read more»   Obama’s Efforts to Help SMBs Considered The White House has drafted a preliminary executive order with the hope of protecting our nation’s computer systems. The exact dimensions of the order are still being debated, but it would create voluntary standards for businesses. With Congress back in session, the big question now is how the nation’s lawmakers will respond to the Obama administration’s pursuit of an executive order on cybersecurity. Read more»   Grassroots Advocacy TechVoice Illinois Launches with Keynote by Representative Dold Last night, in partnership with the Illinois Technology Association (ITA), CompTIA launched its second TechVoice Chapter in Illinois. The official kick-off, which was also co-hosted by the Partnership for a New American Economy, took place at the ITA offices in downtown Chicago. The aim of this first gathering was to introduce the 65 attendees to a proposal now pending in the United States Congress called the Startup 2.0 Act (H.R. 5893 and S. 3217). By hearing from one of the Congressional co-sponsors of the bill, Representative Robert Dold, and then holding a panel discussion breaking down the components of the bill, the objective was to encourage those in attendance to learn and engage in the political process to make a difference for small and medium sized tech firms. Read more»   IN THE NEWS Bloomberg: U.S. Small-Business Owners Say Candidates Don’t Get their Needs   The Wall Street Journal: No Cybersecurity Executive Order, Please   Washington Post: Cybersecurity Should be More Active, Official Says   Public Policy Contacts Workforce Education Elizabeth Hyman Vice President, Public Advocacy   Tech Entrepreneurs Lamar Whitman   IT Security David Valdez   IT Workforce Randi Parker   PAC and Grassroots Advocacy Matthew L. Evans CompTIA Worldwide Headquarters I CompTIA, Inc. 3500 Lacey Road, Suite 100 Downers Grove, IL 60515-5439, U.S.A. © 2012 CompTIA Properties, LLC, under license to CompTIA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. To read previous issues of Policy Watch, click here.