Key tech policy issues for 2013 predicted; Entrepreneurs and investors lob

Heading into 2013, three key tech policy issues to watch will be immigration, online sales taxes and cybersecurity, said Politico. While Congressional leaders debate the merits of allowing more students with advanced degrees to stay in the U.S., they will also be taking a closer look at online tax laws for companies of all sizes and coming to terms on cybersecurity legislation to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure.

While small business advocacy groups have been pleading with Congress to swing one way or the other on the issues of tax rates and cuts to entitlement programs, many start-up founders are more interested in coming to a compromise over the fiscal cliff, said the Washington Post. Government data has shown that young, small businesses foster the most job creation, and with interest in investment waning over economic worries, many entrepreneurs say the Congressional stalemate is holding back their growth.

Incoming chairmen of the House and Senate homeland security committees Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) were scheduled to meet last week to discuss their plans for passing cybersecurity legislation in 2013; this according to The Hill. McCaul said the House and Senate in 2012 have been operating “in different worlds” when it comes to protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure and that he plans to facilitate a better relationship between the two chambers of Congress moving forward.