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.
Psychology of Abundant Government Meddling
Much has been said about FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski’s comment, including his seeming flip-flopping, that he is concerned about one innovative business model—data caps on broadband. He said, “We should all be concerned with anything that is incompatible with the psychology of abundance.” But what has not been said is that the chairman sets up an injudicious measuring stick—broadband abundance, whatever that means.
When the Referees Start Cheating
While the NFL replacement referees hav enot earned high praise, no one has accused them of cheating, of ignoring facts, to change the game as they see fit. But what happens when that occurs at the FCC?
Balancing Privacy and Security
One of this year's big debates is over cybersecurity legislation, and again government officials are determined to attack the problem by attacking privacy and replacing it with greater government control.
The Cybersecurity Debate: Liberty vs. Expanded Government Controls
The federal government is lobbying for expanded government power to ignore some guaranteed citizen's liberties saying that is the only means to provide greater security for the U.S.
Commissioner Pai on the Right (Speed) Track
New FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai is on the right track calling for the FCC to speed up its reviews in order to reduce uncertainty and other hindrances to innovation. Ultimately, the FCC should adopt forbearance as its default position, stepping in to regulate only in cases of demonstrable harm.
Court Records Show Comcast Sought Stay of FCC Tennis Channel Carriage Order
IPI's Bartlett Cleland opposed the FCC order granting Tennis Channel's program carriage complaint against Comcast, calling the 3-2 ruling a "further erosion by the FCC of the freedom to contract, and hence property rights protection."
Taking a Multi-Country Stand Against a U.N. Takeover of the Internet
A couple weeks ago Mr. Rubio, along with Senator McCaskill and a bi-partisan group of co-sponsoring senators, introduced a resolution that if approved would demonstrate the U.S. government's commitment to Internet freedom by opposing the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and some countries' efforts to impose international regulations dictating how the Internet is to be operated.
State Tax Grab at Online Retailers is False Federalism
In an attempt to grab more tax revenue, states are on a course to levy and collect sales tax—the same tax on the same transaction multiple times, and today’s hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will examine the rule established by Supreme Court precedent prohibiting states from collecting sales taxes from digital retailers without a physical presence in their state.
Thank You, Sir, May I Have Another?
The states are looking for more revenue, and digital goods and services are at the top of their lists.
Capitol Hill
Sens. Dick Durbin and Mike Enzi are "pro-taxers" who are "trying to avoid a debate on the merits" of an e-commerce sales tax bill by adding it as an amendment to the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act, the Institute for Policy Innovation said Wednesday to Communications Daily.
Total Records: 505
