Federal Policy

INNOVATIVE POLICIES FOR OUR FUTURE

TechNet is committed to advancing U.S. competitiveness and economic growth. Public policies and private sector initiatives that spur our nation’s innovation-driven global competitiveness are TechNet’s top priority. TechNet supports:

A Globally Competitive Business Environment: Fifty years ago, 64 percent of the world’s 250 largest industrial companies were headquartered in the United States. Today only 34 percent of the world’s 500 largest companies are based here. While America’s economic leadership is at risk, our citizens possess the talent, intellect and entrepreneurial spirit to maintain our economic and national security. To preserve America’s economic leadership we must create a national environment ripe for the kind of innovation and risk-taking that drive economic growth and job creation. TechNet works with policymakers to develop the broad array of policies, practices and infrastructure that foster innovation and ensure American’s continued leadership in the global marketplace, including tax policy, free trade, broadband and Internet policy, basic research, patent litigation reform, and health IT.

Clean Tech: The Next Great Global Industry: With four billion users worldwide, the $6 trillion energy market is the largest economic opportunity of the 21^st century. Clean energy can create millions of jobs and address the challenges of national, economic and environmental security our nation faces today. But right now, the U.S. lags behind other nations in the race to become the leader of the next great global industry. While America continues to spend $1 billion on foreign fuel each day, China is investing 10 times more in clean power, as a percentage of gross domestic product, than the United States. TechNet supports the adoption of a national low-carbon energy plan that spurs the development and adoption of new clean energy technologies.

A 21^st Century Workforce: America’s economic leadership is a reflection of our historic national commitment to a quality education for everyone. But other countries are surpassing the U.S. in preparing their children for the jobs of tomorrow. Today, the U.S. is 29^th out of 109 countries in the percentage of 24-year-olds with a math or science degree. Innovation and the resulting economic growth require a world-class workforce. TechNet supports policies that ensure our nation has the knowledge workers who will drive economic growth today and into the future.  This includes work on the important issues of education, human capital support, and high-skilled immigration reform.