CALERA shows a misunderstanding of the current state of the big tech industry; and second, the bill fails to consider the numerous consumer benefits large tech companies have brought to U.S. consumers. Failing to place consumers at the heart of antitrust reform means any proposals can have significant long-term repercussions for the group antitrust law […]
Technology
Cities Have the Wrong Number on Cell Taxes
Cell phone taxes are putting a significant strain on the budgets of many Americans. A report published late last year by Scott Mackey at Leonine Public Affairs, LLP found that the average taxes consumers pay on wireless service increased again in 2020. While wireless costs everywhere are rising, cell taxes affect people differently in cities […]
5G Can Put the U.S. Economy into Hyperdrive if States Allow It
The Biden Administration has promised to get broadband out the all Americans. However, wiring the U.S. may not the best means to accomplish this, considering that there are already more wireless subscriptions in the U.S. than people. As wireless services continue to become much faster, a more effective and less costly means is possible – via the next generation […]
Inside Sources: Immigration Reform is the Key to Solving the Tech Labor Shortage
As the tech sector grows and becomes an even more important component of the twenty-first century U.S. economy, the industry’s labor needs will only continue to grow. It should be clear that federal immigration law is a principal cause of this shortage. One solution Congress should pursue to resolve the tech industry’s labor shortage is […]
ACI Urges Maryland’s Legislature Not To Tax Online Advertising
The following is a statement by Krisztina Pusok, Directory of Policy and Research at ACI, regarding Maryland’s Digital Ad Tax: ACI strongly urges Maryland’s legislature not to overturn Governor Hogan’s veto of HB732 (Tobacco Tax, Sales and Use Tax, and Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax). The proposed digital ad tax, while vaguely worded, would have […]
Town Hall: High Wireless Taxes Hurt the Poor and Innovation
High cellular taxes contribute to the digital divide between people with high and low incomes, and they slow down the rate of technological innovation. Lawmakers should be encouraging the use of these devices and not tax them. Read this opinion piece in the Town Hall.
Real Clear Policy: Amazon’s Good Deed Doesn’t Go Unpunished
Back in 2018, Amazon announced plans to open a fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, an old coal town of around 27,000 people about 20 miles southwest of Birmingham. When Amazon announced the $325 million fulfillment center, the company pledged it would create 1,500 jobs that paid $15 per hour and provided 401k retirement programs, health insurance, and tuition reimbursement. Bessemer’s […]
Real Clear Health: Make the COVID-19 Telehealth Reforms Permanent
Despite the overwhelming popularity of telehealth among patients and providers, and its overwhelming growth over the past decade, most of the reforms to telehealth are only temporary, with barriers to access once again erected once individual states declare the public health emergency over. To combat this, and ensure patients can continue to access telemedicine, states […]
Letter Urges Congress Not to Change Antitrust Laws to Target Firms
Today, ACI joined a coalition of groups urging Congress to oppose changes to our antitrust standards that would drive courts to break up and destroy American technology companies. We believe that antitrust regulators and lawmakers should adhere to the prudent, decades-old consumer welfare standard, which has long been a foundation for antitrust enforcement and that […]
Coalition: Protect the Consumer Welfare Standard
Today, ACI joined a group of organizations and prominent scholars to warn Congress not to change the current consumer welfare standard for conducting antitrust enforcement. That standard tests whether consumers benefit or lose from changes in market efficiency, quality and price, and it is used to determine if antitrust actions are needed. Today’s coalition letter […]