Public Policy + Advocacy
The Arizona Technology Council is the principal advocate for science- and technology-based companies in Arizona.
Through the collective strength of its members, the Council informs and educates policymakers on issues that are important to Arizona’s technology sectors.
The Council continuously monitors federal, state and local legislation and policies that impact the sustainability and growth of Arizona’s technology industry. From the U.S. Congress and the Office of the Governor to legislative committee rooms and city halls across the state, the Council serves as the voice advocating for a technology-based, pro-growth, business-focused agenda.
2021 Public Policy Guide
The Arizona Technology Council is the principal advocate for science- and technology-based companies in Arizona. The Council continuously monitors federal, state and local legislation and policies that impact the sustainability and growth of Arizona’s technology industry. Through the collective strength of its members, the Council informs and educates policymakers on issues that are important to Arizona’s technology sectors. In creating the 2021 PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE, the Council and its Public Policy Committee relied heavily on the Council’s mission by preparing key ideas, goals and legislative initiatives to:
- Improve the business climate for technology-based companies.
- Provide sources of risk capital that encourage entrepreneurship, with a focus on minority entrepreneurship.
- Create an environment that supports science- and technology-related job retention and creation.
- Attract, train, retrain and retain the diverse talent required to compete in a global innovation economy.
- Help ensure technology businesses can recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic then thrive.
The Committee created a list of principles in a number of subject areas then established related positions to be used as the foundation of the Council’s public policy efforts in 2021. In some cases, the positions will advance through development and advocacy of legislation that will be introduced during the Arizona Legislature’s 2021 session. In other instances, the positions will be used on an ongoing basis as regulators introduce new regulations or changes to existing regulations pertinent to Council members. At all stages, the Committee will be engaged in various efforts to advance the position of Arizona’s technology-based companies. The following principles and positions will aid elected officials and other stakeholders at all levels of government and business as they craft legislation and policies that will affect Arizonans and the Arizona economy for years to come.
ARIZONA TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2021
- Reauthorize and extend the Angel Investment Tax Credit program for another 10 years.
- Look for opportunities to cultivate a diverse, equitable statewide Arizona science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) ecosystem. Focus on long-term, shared, sustainable and flexible STEM missions that bridge, integrate and strengthen the learning opportunities offered by organizations across sectors instead of isolated, independent entities. This will result in expansion of STEM business and education opportunities throughout rural and urban Arizona communities, fueling a strong, diverse talent pipeline prepared to meet the state’s anticipated growth.
- Consistently, equitably and sustainably fund the state’s P-20 education system, including pre-K, K-12, career and technical education district (CTED), equitable access to dual enrollment, and postsecondary programs. Support a funding formula that addresses the achievement gap for those students in lower socio-economic areas and ensures access to the proper infrastructure for supporting distance learning models.
- Support policies directed at helping the business community, especially small businesses, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the post-pandemic working environment.
View or download the current and previous versions of the Council’s Public Policy Guide here: