When it comes to public policy, efforts by the Arizona Technology Council are continuous as the responsibility of promoting and protecting the state’s technology community never stops.
The efforts are especially worth it when the successes can be tallied at the end of the legislative session of the Arizona Capitol.
Case in point are noteworthy actions from the recently completed session. Making it official are endorsements from Gov. Katie Hobbs that:
- Establish the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation within the Office of the Governor, which is charged with encouraging partnerships and driving innovation for defense technologies and leveraging assets to attract federal and private defense investments.
- With $2 million, launch the Advanced Air Mobility Fund to build vertiports as hubs for takeoffs and landings, as well as to buy advanced air mobility vehicles capable of carrying passengers or cargo for testing and demonstration purposes.
- Earmark $1 million from the Personnel Division Fund for the Department of Administration to develop a pilot state employee computer science professional development program through partnerships with state universities in order to provide training for job-relevant skills and courses for employees wanting to upskill or earn degrees or certifications.
A “success” of another kind for Arizona’s technology industry actually occurred with Hobbs’ veto of legislation she deemed not supporting the state’s renewable energy efforts. In a letter to House Speaker Steve Montenegro, she wrote, “Bills like this one that seek to disincentivize, deprioritize or otherwise limit new renewable energy projects directly threaten Arizona’s new energy workforce growth and the associated potential for lowered energy bills while at the same time putting our grid reliability at risk.”
Efforts happening year-round are part of the responsibility of the Council’s Public Policy Committee, whose mission is to ensure Arizona’s competitiveness to accelerate technology-related policy and legislation. The results positively affect the growth and development of a vibrant technology state.
Open to employees of member companies, the committee focuses on issues and initiatives that affect the growth and development of the technology industry. There actually are four targeted areas for the body: technology commercialization and development, workforce development, supply-chain development, and capital formation.
The committee works with legislators, elected officials and policy makers at all levels of government to educate them on the value and promise of the technology industry. That means members can be found routinely walking the halls of the Capitol to speak with officials and their staff.
Separately, the Council’s Political Action Committee (PAC) supports pro-technology candidates for state and local offices after thoroughly vetting them to ensure their priorities promote a thriving technology ecosystem in Arizona and improve the business climate for tech-based companies.
Because leaders at the state, county and local government levels make decisions impacting the technology industry and businesses while influencing the economic vitality of communities, it is critical for companies to have a method like the PAC to support candidates and elected officials who understand the impact of their decisions on the ecosystem.
To decide on recommendations, the Council and the PAC solicit information from candidates and conduct comprehensive interviews. Also, incumbents’ voting records are reviewed. The PAC then determines which candidates receive the Council’s election endorsements by comparing screenings and voting records to the Council’s policy positions and guiding principles as stated in its Public Policy Guides published biennially.
Working behind the scenes to support and advise on strategies by the Council and its committees is Dianne McCallister of the lobbying firm Public Policy Partners.
It truly is a team effort when it comes to supporting Arizona’s tech ecosystem.
To learn more, visit Public Policy + Advocacy, Public Policy Committee and Political Action Committee.
