WASHINGTON – The AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) will spend about $6.2 million to increase efforts aimed at state government affairs, including hiring staff and branching out to more states.
 
“Legislation affecting the high-tech industry isn’t limited to just one state,” said Christopher Hansen, president and CEO. “At any given time, one state can introduce legislation that can impact the entire industry, for better or for worse.”
 
AeA will focus on three initiatives: expanding the state government affairs programs to additional states; hiring staff to oversee the environmental programs in AeA at the state, national, and international levels; and initiating a Web-based resource that provides information on state bills affecting the high-tech industry.
 
AeA currently has 20 lobbyists across Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. AeA will contract with lobbyists in additional states, and will also be adding environmental experts to its staff to advocate public policy and “green tech” globally.
 
The AeA Information Network is intended to offer AeA members a one-stop site for obtaining information regarding relevant state governmental activities.