Economists have long recognized that technological innovation and enhanced communication increase productivity and reduce friction in economic activity. And never before has technology’s impact on economic growth been as evident as it is today.
At IPI, we focus on technology and communications policy not only because it’s critical to economic growth, but also because government’s inherent tendency to regulate prospectively poses an active threat to the economic gains and lifestyle enhancements made possible by technological innovation.
The communications and technology industries are among the country’s most competitive and the biggest capital investors in the U.S. economy, and are thus prime engines of economic growth and job creation. It is critical that public policy encourages continued innovation and investment in the tech sector, and that we don’t limit the innovation upside with counterproductive taxes and regulations.
The Creeping Tentacles of Unrestrained Regulation
We need restraint in the face of ill-defined, or ill-fitting, regulations that were clearly drafted and enacted in another age, for technology found today only in museums.
Multiple Proposed Conditions Submitted in Charter/TWC/BHN
But free-market-oriented IPI said Charter/TWC/BHN should go ahead "with the addition of conditions and concessions." Given the heavy competition in the video marketplace, IPI said, "fears that a post-merger Charter will wield overwhelming market power such that it will be able to quash such competition seems more based in Progressive Era general distrust of corporations than any informed understanding of the current video marketplace and the obvious current trends."
A Tech Revolution Is Quietly Taking Place In Healthcare
While policymakers, and the country, struggle over challenges facing and created by the Affordable Care Act, real healthcare reform is happening almost completely outside of that loop, driven by technology and innovators.
Playing Politics With Internet Taxes
Congress should move to protect taxpayers and Internet users once and for all by making the moratorium permanent.
Breaches and Breakdowns
Cyberattacks are a big and growing problem; fortunately, there are legislative ways to address the problem that will increase cooperation without stifling innovation.
Flawed By Design
The next juicy target for “patent trolls” is ripening. Design patents have become increasingly attractive as a new target.
Technology Integration Can Improve Medicaid For Beneficiaries
As the House Energy and Commerce Committee meets today to discuss improving Medicaid, they should consider how states can integrate mobile phones and other existing technologies to increase access to care, lower costs and improve health care quality for Medicaid beneficiaries, said Dr. Merrill Matthews, Ph.D., author of “Reforming Medicaid with Technology.”
Privacy Groups Push ECPA E-Mail Reform
IPI added its voice for ECPA reform, calling the legislation "an urgent and necessary step to uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights guarding against warrantless search and seizure of electronic data."
Hearing Tomorrow: Urgent For Congress to Secure Americans' Rights Through ECPA Reform
At long last, the Senate Judiciary Committee will finally hold a hearing tomorrow to discuss reforming the outdated 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, an urgent and necessary step to uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights guarding against warrantless search and seizure of electronic data.
Total Records: 508
