- Obama and Romney face engaged technology industry.
- Executive order on cybersecurity by Obama predicted.
- Bills that would impose sales taxes on online goods and services debated in Congress.
Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are facing a technology industry that is more politically and financially engaged in the election this year than in elections past, says the New York Times. While both parties have combined to raise more money from tech donors than in 2008, Romney has fared surprisingly well, as some executives feel disappointed that key industry policy desires – like immigration reform – have failed in Washington in recent years.
Senator Joe Lieberman predicts that President Obama will sign an executive order on cybersecurity within the next month, says The Hill. He also predicts lawmakers are unlikely to compromise here and that Obama’s executive order will at the very least set up voluntary standards for businesses.
Meanwhile, there are three bills being debated in Congress currently that would impose sales taxes on online goods and services; this according to Reuters. While there has been bipartisan support for all these bills, there is uncertainty as to how online businesses will universally charge state sales taxes on buyers and how the proposed legislation will affect small businesses – both online and physical.
