HTCA: Senator Fukunaga Talks Tech

2009 was an intense legislative season including extra sessions to address the economy and state budget. What happened to the technology initiatives? Come join Senator Carol Fukunaga for an informative discussion concerning our state’s technology economic development and learn what impact this has on you and your business:

• What’s in, what’s out with technology policy issues at the 2009 Legislative session
• Act 221
• Dual-use opportunities
• Attempts to tax online businesses.

Hawaii State Senator Carol Fukunaga is the current Chair for the Economic Development and Technology Committee. During the past three years, the committee has worked to build and expand Hawaii ’s creative media industries, dual-use defense industry, aerospace R&D and renewable energy sectors by leveraging tax credits, pursuing high-speed broadband initiatives and forging strategic partnerships.

Over the past decade and a half, her passion has been investing in Hawaii ’s youth and expanding Hawaii 's knowledge-based industries. “After many years of effort, Hawaii is finally beginning to achieve critical mass in transitioning its economy from one that relies upon low-skilled, low-paying jobs, to a dynamic, globally-competitive one."

A long time friend of technology and HTCA, in 1995, Senator Fukunaga was one of three public sector members of President Clinton’s National Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee (NII AC), which launched the campaign to link the nation’s schools, libraries and rural communities to the Internet. Her efforts in the technology arena resulted in the first online access to legislative information, the nation’s only Public Access Room and Hawaii public schools’ broadband connectivity.

Recent memberships: Co-chair, National Conference of State Legislatures’ “Connecting America” Broadband Task Force (2007-2008), Hawaii Broadband Task Force (2007-2009), NCSL Executive Committee Task Force on State/Local Taxation of Communications and Electronic Commerce (2003-present). Senator Fukunaga has served in the State Senate since 1992, and in the House of Representatives during four prior terms. A graduate of the first graduating class of University of Hawaii 's William Richardson School of Law, she is a proud alumni of Hawaii 's public schools.

COST: $24 - HTCA members and HISciTech members; $34 - non-members
MENU: Sauteed Pork Loin Cutlets with Sun-Dried Tomato Mushroom Caper Sauce on Mashed Potatoes, With Ginger Scented Broccoli, Squash and Peppers, Ginger Orange Strawberry Shortcake

Cash, check, or PayPal payments via our website at www.htca.org. Reservation deadline: 10 a.m., Fri., August 21st. Email events@htca.org or call 441-8514 with your name and contact information. To cover costs incurred, any cancellations made after 12 noon on Monday, August 24, and no shows will be billed.

About the Hawaii TeleCommunications Association (HTCA)
HTCA has been dedicated to supporting Hawaii's diverse and expanding telecommunications community since 1975. It offers a monthly luncheon/speaker series and an annual conference every fall. For more information, please visit http://www.htca.org.