02.01.2022 Poligage Top of Mind Report
By Poligage
February 01, 2022
Meet the Newest Member of the Poligage Experts Network |
U.S. State Government & Municipalities
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Hallie MasonOwner, Mason Consulting The West Virginia Legislature is one-third through its 2022 regular session, scheduled to end March 12th. The Finance Committees are wrapping up their budget hearings and will begin working on their versions of each respective chamber’s budget bill. The 2022 Candidate Filing Deadline has passed, so the public is now aware of their choices for the May primary elections in their newly re-districted legislative races. The West Virginia Legislature Starts 2022 at a Fast Pace |
Georgia |
Graham ThompsonPrincipal, Thompson Victory Group We are only eight days into the 2022 Georgia Legislative Session, but big legislative reforms are already unfolding, in addition to the 1100 pending proposals that are active from the 2021 Session. The big tech reforms, SB 393 and SB 394, have generated significant interest. Businesses and industry associations are quickly lining up to oppose the data privacy proposal, with a strong preference for a national framework versus state-based reforms, labeling this legislation as more restrictive and punitive than California privacy laws, requiring a consumer opt-in, versus opt-out, for selling user data and targeting larger businesses versus uniform guardrails for all user data. 2022 Georgia Legislative Session |
U.S. CongressUpcoming Congressional Agenda |
Jon DeuserPresident & CEO, The Smith-Free Group Work on Supreme Court nominations is usually all-consuming for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senators and staff will tell you they can “walk and chew gum at the same time,” that work will continue on other issues before panel like antitrust efforts and legislation to regulate Internet platforms. But confirming a new justice is must-do for Democrats, and once the president announces a nominee the Democrats will want to move as rapidly as possible. All this means is no matter what we hear from the Committee, work on hot button legislation and any other items is going to slow greatly, if not stop altogether. Democrats Have Precedent for a Speedy Supreme Court Confirmation |
America COMPETES Act |
Gina MahonyPresident & Founder, Domer Consulting, LLC This week, the House is expected to vote on the America COMPETES Act, the long-awaited response to the $250 billion bill the Senate passed in June known as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. The House bill is designed to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and competition with China, including $52 billion to support domestic chip research and production. The next step will be conference discussions to resolve differences between the two bills. House Debuts Long-Awaited Response to Senate’s China Competition, Semiconductor Bill |
Geopolitical Intelligence & National Security
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Susan MarkhamCo-Founder & Partner, Smash Strategies Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration convened its first meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF). A cabinet-level entity created by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the PITF has primary responsibility for coordinating efforts across 20 federal agencies to combat trafficking in persons, and implementing the recently released National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. The Department of Commerce will develop training and guidance for U.S. companies and private-sector stakeholders on the use of forced labor in supply chains. The Department of the Treasury has increased engagement with the financial industry and civil society, including co-hosting a training with Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security on identifying human trafficking in the gaming industry. The Department of Transportation will continue working with stakeholders across all modes of transportation to combat human trafficking. White House Fact Sheet: PITF |
Canada |
Patrick KennedyPrincipal, Earnscliffe Strategies Last fall’s four-week sitting was largely limited to dealing with the most urgent pandemic program adjustments and the tabling of necessary reports on government spending. When the House of Commons returns Monday (01/31), the rubber finally meets the road for the federal government—the Liberals must begin to implement more than 350 separate policy commitments they made during last fall’s election. With several promises to act “immediately” now well overdue, the clock is ticking loudly on the implementation of the platform. In addition, many additional commitments to act “within the first hundred days of government” will clearly not meet the deadline of February 4, which marks 100 days since the swearing in of cabinet on October 26. Parliament Resumes |
Russia-Ukraine Tension |
Lee SlusherCEO & Founder, BT Consulting, LLC The United States and Russia engaged in a bitter diplomatic brawl Monday at the U.N. Security Council over the Ukraine crisis, as the Americans accused the Russians of endangering peace by massing troops on Ukraine’s borders while Kremlin diplomats dismissed what they called hysterical U.S. fear-mongering. The meeting of the 15-nation council, requested by the United States last week, represented the highest-profile arena for the two powers to sway world opinion over Ukraine. The Security Council meeting adjourned after two hours with no action taken — although none had been expected. U.S. and Russia Accuse Each Other at U.N. of Stoking Ukraine Crisis |
U.S.-China Relations |
Holly SmithPresident Biden says that America’s greatest long-term challenge overseas comes from China. In an October statement, Biden announced he would create what he calls an “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.” When asked now about Biden’s plans to take on China’s economy, administration officials still refer to the October description of the framework. They say they are only at the start of a months-long process to develop an Asian economic plan. Biden Promised to Confront China. First He Has to Confront America’s Bizarre Trade Politics |
Key Policy IssuesTech Policy & Upcoming Global Elections |
Katie HarbathFounder & CEO, Anchor Change The world is not ready for the coming electoral tsunami. Neither is Facebook. With so many elections on the horizon — France, Kenya, Australia, Brazil, the Philippines and the United States will hold elections this year — the conversation now should focus on how Facebook is preparing. Responsible election plans cannot be spun up in days or weeks. It takes time not only to organize internally but also to make meaningful and necessary connections with the communities around the world working to secure elections. Facebook must begin serious, concerted, well-funded efforts today. I Worked at Facebook. It’s Not Ready for This Year’s Election Wave |
Cybersecurity |
Andy KeiserPrincipal, Navigators Global Americans returning to their offices following the surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant may want to think twice about what they say — Beijing just might be listening in through the phone on their desk. A recent report by Virginia-based Chain Security outlines several technical issues with the Chinese internet protocol (IP) phone maker, Yealink. Yealink’s desk phones are currently being sold broadly to U.S. businesses and the U.S. government, and according to a Defense One story citing Chain Security CEO Jeff Stern, the company is a top ten desk IP phone provider to government agencies. Letting China in Through the Front Door? |
Global Trade & Economics
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Brai Odion-EseneFounder, SW4 Insights For the U.S., the stalled Build Back Better fiscal policy package, faster rate increases by the Federal Reserve, and continued supply shortages contribute to the slower pace of economic activity. In China, the IMF cited the country’s zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy and the protracted financial stress among property developers. Global growth is expected to slow to 3.8% in 2023. The IMF said ongoing supply chain disruptions and high energy prices continuing in 2022 mean that “elevated inflation” is expected to persist for longer than previously envisioned. Furthermore, the financial stability of emerging market and developing countries is at risk from rising interest rates in advanced economies. It could spark outward capital flows, a drop in currency values, and precarious fiscal positions, with debt levels having increased significantly in the past two years. This Week in the Economy |
Sectors & Industries
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*****TRIVIA ANSWER*****The America COMPETES Act |
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