In 1999, the NDC released a detailed "e-genda" (version 1.0) to
outline New Economy policy priorities. We are excited to announce
the release of our "e-genda 2.0," which includes
on-going issues and new priorities, such as privacy, cybersecurity,
and bridging the digital divide.
The New Democrat Coalition has identified our key technology
priorities and are working in cooperation with the Senate New
Democrat Coalition (SNDC) to:
- Invest in education and a skilled workforce
- Assert global leadership
- Foster the digital economy
- Promote innovation
- Adopt responsible fiscal policies to ensure continued economic
growth
New Democrats recognize that the key to the New Economy
is a skilled workforce. If our economy is to continue growing,
we must have the best and brightest entrepreneurs, executives,
and engineers in the world. From early childhood education to
incumbent worker training, New Democrats are fighting to ensure
that all Americans are poised to take advantage of New Economy
opportunities and leave no one behind.
Bridging the Digital Divide
New Democrats believe that the use of technology should provide
opportunities for all Americans to compete and win in the New
Economy.
- New Democrats support the Administration's Home Internet
Access proposal in the FY01 budget which would provide $50 million
in seed money for local non-profit organizations to provide computers
and Internet access for low-income families.
- New Democrats support H.R. 4061, the Digital Divide Elimination
Act of 2000, introduced by Rep. William Jefferson (LA) and Senate
NDC co-founder Senator John Breaux (LA). The legislation provides
a one-time 50 percent refundable tax credit for low-income individuals
for the purchase of computer hardware and software.
- New Democrats support the legislation authored by NDC member
Rep. Ron Kind (WI) and NDC co-chair Cal Dooley (CA), which increases
funding for education technology in schools, targets funding
to low-income schools, and provides resources to help teachers
integrate technology into the curriculum.
Full funding of the E-rate
Bringing technology into the classroom is a key New Democrat education
priority, and the E-rate helps ensure that public schools have
affordable access to the Internet.
Standards-Based Reform and Accountability
The first step towards preparing the American workforce for the
New Economy is a world-class education system, including high
quality standards and assessments for all students, the elimination
of the "achievement gap" between high- and low-performing
students, accountability at the state and local level, and increased
investment to help all students achieve.
Teacher Quality
New Democrats support increasing the investment in professional
development, requiring all teachers to be fully qualified and
to demonstrate competency. New Democrats also support increased
efforts to recruit and retain high quality teachers.
- New Democrats support alternative routes to teacher certification.
NDC co-chair Tim Roemer (IN) NDC member Rep. Jim Davis (FL) succeeded
in including their legislation, H.R. 2344, the Transition to
Teaching Act, included in the House-passed Teacher Empowerment
Act. This bill encourages engineers, scientists, and other skilled
professionals to enter the teaching profession.
- NDC Member Ron Kind (WI) and 33 other New Democrats sent
a letter to the Department of Education demanding that states
adhere to the teacher quality reporting requirements of the 1998
Higher Education Act.
Technology Training
New Democrats recognize that we must train our workforce to compete
in today's global economy through private-public partnerships
and innovative training programs.
- To encourage industry-driven training programs, the NDC has
endorsed legislation (H.R. 838) introduced by Representative
Jim Moran (VA) to provide a tax credit for high-technology training
expenses. H.R. 838 would provide tax credits of 20 to 25 percent
of training expenses up to $6,000 per employee to employers who
provide information technology training. Additional credits are
available under the bill for employers who offer IT training
programs in empowerment zones, economically depressed areas,
and rural areas.
- New Democrats endorse Regional Skills Alliances legislation
(H.R. 733) introduced by Rep Jim Moran, which would create industry-led,
public-private partnerships in which employers, public agencies,
educational institutions, and labor unions can pool their resources
to identify and train workers for region-wide opportunities.
RSA's are a demand-side initiative that catalyze firms in industries
to play a greater direct role in developing skills that they
and their regions need.
H1-B Visa Expansion
The NDC strongly supports attracting the best and brightest talent
from around the world to help grow the U.S. economy and create
jobs.
- New Democrats were key in drafting H.R. 3893, the HI-TECH
Act, which:
- increases the H-1B visa caps to 200,000 for three years;
- invests a $1,000 user fee in science, math and technology
programs in K-12, university scholarships, and industry-led Regional
Skills Alliance job training programs; and
- enacts critical INS reforms to streamline immigration practices.
- The NDC also recognizes that to maintain the current U.S.
economic advantage, our immigration policies must be updated
to reflect the realities of the New Economy.
The continued success of the U.S. economy depends upon our
engagement in the global economy. New Democrats have been a critical,
reliable voice and vote in support of expanding trade opportunities
for U.S. businesses and families. New Democrats recognize that
the most effective way to promote human rights, labor protections,
and environmental stewardship is through international engagement
and advocate international organizations and agreements as an
avenue to accomplish those goals. Furthermore, New Democrats are
uniquely positioned to build a new consensus on trade, embracing
economic engagement while addressing the legitimate concerns of
those who are not fully sharing in the economic prosperity created
by increased international trade.
China PNTR
New Democrats led efforts within the Democratic Caucus to approve
permanent Normal Trade Relations status for China. The NDC is
committed to continue working on this critically-important issue
as the Senate takes up the legislation.
Export Controls
Today's export control threshold are lagging behind technological
and market realities, and New Democrats believe the United States
needs to re-evaluate the current export control regime.
- New Democrats support legislation sponsored by Rep. Zoe Lofgren
to reduce the congressional review period for administrative
export control reforms to 30 days.
- New Democrats are committed to working with the Administration,
industry and other congressional advisory groups to fundamentally
re-vamp the export control regime to protect our national security
interests while maintaining our relative advantage in the international
marketplace.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)
The NDC supports a rules-based global trade system and the World
Trade Organization. New Democrats support improving and strengthening
WTO through reforms such as improved transparency and openness.
Fast Track
New Democrats understand that Fast Track negotiating authority
is a critical tool to use in opening markets to U.S. goods and
services. The NDC will support Fast Track legislation that gives
the President authority to negotiate on all trade-related issues.
Sanctions Reform
In recent years the imposition of unilateral sanctions by the
United States has exploded, with more than 75 nations currently
subject to or threatened by U.S. sanctions. While unilateral economic
sanctions have been used as foreign policy tools for many years,
they have proven to be largely ineffective in achieving their
intended goal.
- New Democrats support H.R. 1244, sanctions reform legislation
co-authored by NDC co-chair Rep. Cal Dooley. H.R. 1244 is designed
to improve the way the U.S. government makes decisions to impose
unilateral sanctions and to create a common sense framework for
the consideration of future unilateral sanctions policy.
Our tremendous economic growth, gains in productivity, and
low unemployment are largely attributable to the advances brought
about by the digital economy. New Democrats believe that public
policy should promote the growth of e-commerce and include common
sense protections for consumers and businesses engaging in on-line
transactions.
Broadband Access
New Democrats believe that the deployment of advanced telecommunications
services - particularly to rural and underserved areas - is necessary
to ensure that all communities have access to the digital economy.
New Democrats are committed to striking a balance among competing
interests and ensuring fair play for all telecommunications technologies.
- New Democrats support the use of tax credits and public/private
partnerships to address the disparity in the availability of
broadband access, and to ensure the deployment of current and
next-generation telecommunications services to all communities.
Privacy
New Democrats believe that consumer confidence is critical to
the full development of the Internet and electronic commerce.
Internet privacy policy should promote consumer choice while ensuring
that the United States continues to be the world leader in electronic
commerce.
- New Democrats support legislation sponsored by NDC co-chair
Rep. Jim Moran that would establish a privacy commission to meet
with industry and consumer groups and report findings and recommendations
back to Congress on how best to protect consumers while maintaining
the U.S. market advantage in Internet development and economic
growth.
Cybersecurity
New Democrats understand that protecting the Internet from cyber-terrorists
and hackers is critical to our national defense and economy and
believe that the United States government and private sector should
work together to protect our nation's critical Internet infrastructure.
- New Democrats support legislation co-authored by NDC Co-chair
Jim Moran that would allow industry and government to voluntarily
share information regarding cyber-ulnerabilities and attacks
by exempting such information sharing from the anti-trust and
Freedom of Information Act.
Computer Piracy
Last year alone, software theft and counterfeiting cost the US
software industry more than $3 billion in lost revenues in the
last year alone. While Congress has passed legislation to strengthen
criminal penalties for software theft, New Democrats believe that
additional resources are necessary to enable federal authorities
to aggressively prosecute cyber and intellectual property crimes
under these statutes.
- New Democrats support increased funding for the Department
of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigations to increase the
investigations and prosecution of cyber and intellectual property
crimes.
Internet taxes
New Democrats support the development of a comprehensive legislative
strategy that fosters electronic commerce, creates a level playing
field between traditional merchants and e-commerce, and results
in tax simplification for consumers and business.
Office of Information Technology
New Democrats believe we need a coordinated effort to encourage
government use of information technology.
- New Democrats support legislation introduced by NDC member
Jim Turner (TX) to create an Office of Information Technology
in the Executive Office of the President, which would be led
by a Chief Information Officer of the United States. The Office
would provide analysis, leadership, and advice for the President
and agencies.
New Democrats understand that new approaches in public policy
are necessary to keep up with the dramatic changes brought about
by the New Economy. We support a regulatory and judicial environment
that fosters rather than impedes innovation.
Federal Research Funding
New Democrats recognize that a sustained public investment in
long-term, basic research has been the foundation for U.S. scientific
and technological leadership. Private and public investment in
research and development is imperative to the growth of the economy,
and New Democrats are committed to increased funding for key federal
research institutions.
- New Democrats support a permanent extension of the R&D
tax credit.
- New Democrats support H.R. 3161, introduced by NDC member
Rush Holt (NJ), that would authorize continuing increases and
better accountability for R&D, and invest in the future economic
growth of the United States.
Stem Cell Research
Stem cell research offers hope to as many as 128 million Americans
suffering from life threatening and debilitating diseases. New
Democrats recognize that stem cell research could lead to new
treatments and cures for countless diseases and support federal
funding for stem cell research.
Patent Office
New Democrats support maintaining a sufficient investment in the
Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). At a time when inventions in
the fields of science and technology have driven our nation's
economy a well-funded, efficient PTO is vital to continued economic
growth and prosperity.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Mergers and acquisitions have been an important engine of economic
development in the New Economy. Currently, FASB is considering
a proposal that would eliminate the pooling method of accounting
that is frequently used by the tech sector in mergers and acquisition.
New Democrats believe this policy could have an adverse impact
on economy activity.
- New Democrats have led the effort in Congress to support
the independent development of a "New Economy" accounting
standard, and urge restraint in the rapid adoption of proposals
that could hinder economic activity.
Merger Review Filings
Mergers and acquisitions are also an integral component of the
venture capital process, outpacing IPOs as an exit strategy. New
Democrats believe that federal laws and regulations governing
mergers and acquisitions should be updated to reflect current
economic activity.
- New Democrats support increasing the Hart-Scott-Rodino merger
review threshold.
Telecommuting
Recognizing the previously unique practice of telecommuting is
becoming increasingly common and an important workforce option,
the New Democrat Coalition supports rules and regulations that
promote rather than discourage telecommuting.
Spectrum
The NDC supports an aggressive examination of current rules and
regulations relating to the allocation and governance of spectrum
to ensure it is consistent with the growth of the New Economy.
Fiscal discipline is a top priority for New Democrats. We
recognize that reducing the debt has enormous economic benefits
for the country, businesses, and families. We support a federal
budget that is balanced and makes key investments in human capital
and research to keep our economy strong. We also understand that
demographic changes require entitlement reform so that our country
stays fiscally sound while still ensuring seniors have health
care and retirement security.
Maintaining a Balanced Budget
New Democrats are leading advocates for maintaining an honest,
gimmick-free balanced budget without using Social Security surpluses.
Reducing the Debt
The $5.6 trillion debt crowds out private investment, driving
up interest rates. The debt also consumes over 13 percent of our
federal budget, dollars that could be better used to reduce the
tax burden or invest in education, federal research, or other
forward-thinking investments. New Democrats have been the most
outspoken group in Congress on the need to prioritize debt reduction.
