Public Affairs

1
Public Affairs Policy Advocacy Proposal

• Jack Isselmann

www.govtcounsel.com
2
Who is the SAO?

• Non-profit trade association
• Founded in 1989
• 600 Members ( -)
• Statewide with chapters in Corvallis Lane County

3
The Industry Cluster
4
Our Mission

• sustain a healthy strong software industry
  ecosystem in Oregon by
• Helping companies Start
• Supporting company Growth
• And creating an environment where companies and
  entrepreneurs want to Move

5
Our Members
6
Board of Directors
7
Corporate Sponsors
8
Advocacy - an 06 Strategic Goal

• Primary Goals
• Create and Charter a board level committee done
• Engage and fund part-time lobbyist in process
• Work in concert with other mature lobbying
  associations such as Associated Oregon Industries
  (AOI), Washington Software Alliance (WSA) and
  others in process
• Prepare for 2007 session

9
Three-Legged Stool The Value-Added Trade
Association
Education/ Workforce
Promotion/ Networking
Advocacy
10
Benefits of Advocacy

• Larger members benefit from advocacy as part of a
  larger industry consortium in addition to other
  individual efforts
• SAO provides broader and separate reach and
  affords protection when going it alone carries
  more risk
• Smaller members obtain access to policy making
  process that they wouldnt otherwise attain and
  hopefully direct financial benefit from our
  efforts
• Members large and small receive benefit of policy
  changes adopted to promote industry growth in
  Oregon
• SAO develops voice of the software industry that
  is distinct but coordinated with others active in
  advocacy AOI, AeA, etc.
• Opportunity to lead discussion on technology
  economy in Oregon
• Establish/enhance SAOs visibility and viability
  at the legislature and in public arena at large

11
Scope of Possible SAO Public Policy Agenda

• Proactive Agenda
• Bring industry perspective to education funding
  delivery discourse
• Opportunity to promote SAOs SuperQuest--Teacher
  Training Efforts
• Economic Development Efforts
• Cluster Development Strategy
• Creative Services industry development efforts
• Tax Credit Incentives
• Payroll tax credit
• Workforce Development
• SEED program
• Oregon Training Network

12
Scope of Possible SAO Public Policy Agenda

• Issue Monitoring and Reactive or Defensive
  Agenda
• Privacy Legislation
• Reaction to Providence data theft issue
• Anti-spyware, SPAM laws
• Procurement Laws
• Open Source or other preference
• Outsourcing issues
• Taxes
• Public Disclosure of corporate tax returns--even
  S corps. sole proprietors
• Portland cell phone tax
• Potential corporate kicker changes
• Labor Employment
• Healthcare
• Movement to require employer coverage Wal-Mart
• Other potential mandates or ballot measures

13
Phase I Near-Term March-August

• Coordinate an advocacy program aligned with
  established Industry Education and Promotion
  Activities
• Get a team on the field before the game starts
  possible special session summer 06
• Continue integration into existing economic
  development efforts
• Regional Business Plan, Cluster Network, Oregon
  Business Plan, etc.
• Determine SAO Policy initiatives
• Work closely with SAO Advocacy Committee,
  President and Vice President
• Outreach to other interest groups with
  like-minded agendas
• Eyes and ears of SAO
• Promotion of Advocacy Activities to SAO
  Membership through Newsletter/E-mail
• Total cost 10,000 for 6 mos. (Est. minimum of
  40 hrs. per mo.)

14
Phase II Longer Term--September 2006-August 2007

• Perform messaging for SAO during election cycle
• Engage lobbying/policy promotion activities
• State Legislative issues
• Determine issues to monitor, defend and promote
• Work on inclusion of items in Governors
  Recommended
• Budget completed in October 2006
• Engage in partnering with other orgs.--e.g. AOI,
  WSA, AeA
• Issues before other policy making bodies
• Local governments
• City Council County Councils
• Federal government
• Work with Software and Information Industry
  Association
• Work with larger members DC offices
• SAO financial commitment is dependent on issues
  and the level of engagement that is required
• Not anticipated to significantly exceed Phase I
  costs

15
Why Vista Strategies

• Solid technology background, including public and
  private experience
• Key connections to government, private sector and
  other non-profits
• Good synergies between SAO and other clients
• Pixelworks, ESI, SmartForest Ventures, Lane Metro
  
• Prior trade association representation Oregon
  Sports Authority
• Extensive experience in advocacy and public
  affairs good understanding of technology issues
  and needs
• More on representative clients and projects at
  www.govtcounsel.com