Public Policy

Message from the CEO: Year in Review + Optimism for the Future

December 19, 2020

The Arizona Technology Council wants you to know 2020 should be remembered for more than a pandemic. It should be considered a year in which our tech ecosystem grew stronger. I offer my sincere appreciation for helping make it all happen. Thank you for your continued membership. I look forward to leading the Council’s valued members into 2021 with optimism, pride and hope. I take great pride in further growing Arizona’s tech ecosystem and building a world-class tech hub.

Policy and advocacy: The science policy we deserve

August 9, 2020

Advancing science and technology in a way that helps to address the knowledge and innovation needs of the nation is much more difficult. But that’s the sort of challenge that today’s civil and political unrest indicate should be at the center of how policy-makers organize public investments in science and technology.

2020 Vote TechSmart Guide endorses pro-tech candidates

July 8, 2020

The Council announced the release of its biennial 2020 Vote TechSmart voter’s guide. The guide assigns a letter grade (A – D) to each candidate in the state’s 30 legislative districts. The Council backs only those candidates who support a technology agenda.

Arizona Technology Council applauds Supreme Court decision to protect DACA Program

June 22, 2020

Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, joins major leaders across industries in applauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision rejecting the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Zylstra has been a powerful voice in urging Congress to provide protections for DACA recipients.

Arizona Technology Council announces 2020 endorsements for Arizona Legislature

June 16, 2020

The Council’s Public Policy Committee researches candidates thoroughly to determine whether they provide ongoing support of the technology agenda. Endorsements are focused on candidates for the state Legislature in Arizona’s 2020 elections and the Council backs only those candidates who support a technology agenda, so some districts may have no recommendations.

Veyo announces transportation for COVID-19 tested positive members

May 14, 2020

Veyo, the nation’s first and only full-service, tech-enabled non-emergency medical transportation broker, has announced the creation of a specialized fleet of drivers who will transport COVID-19 infected/suspected patients to and from life-sustaining medical appointments, with the aim of alleviating the extreme stress that has been placed on the non-emergency ambulance industry.

The Maricopa Community Colleges Are 3D printing PPE for medical workers

May 7, 2020

The Maricopa Community Colleges, in collaboration with the Healthcare Education Department and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, are using 3D printers for manufacturing and donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE will be delivered to healthcare providers and first responders across the Valley to bring relief to the Arizona community and assist those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Use your voice to make a difference: Tell Congress to include trade associations in the Paycheck Protection Program

April 20, 2020

The House and Senate are currently negotiating additional funding in response to COVID-19. While associations are included in some of the recently passed CARES Act’s programs, many trade and professional associations are experiencing severe revenue losses during the current pandemic and unfortunately were excluded from the beneficial Paycheck Protection Program. Make your voice heard….advocate for future legislation to assist associations!

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson calls for 100% clean energy

March 21, 2020

Arizona Corporation Commission Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson issued a letter calling on her fellow Commissioners to pass a policy that would require regulated electric utilities to generate 100% of their power from clean energy resources by 2050.