All set to lobby. (Public Policy).

THE AGENDA HAS been set for TechNet's 2002 lobbying efforts, with one new issue on the list and another being debated, says Rick White, CEO of the organization founded to advance public policy favorable to the technology industry.

First, TechNet wants to represent technology CEOs as merger and acquisitions-related accounting methodologies go through scrutiny at the international level.

Second, the motion picture and entertainment industries want to collaborate with tech CEOs to hammer out clearer definitions of digital intellectual property and copyright law.

Also, as in 2001, TechNet's national network of CEOs and senior executives from technology and biotechnology companies will be pushing to advance broadband availability in the U.S., encouraging technology education initiatives and spending, and opening new TechNet branches, including a Seattle office planned for early this year, White says.

Then there are post-September 11 issues that concern CEOs in technology and other industries. "We're trying to figure out what, if anything, we can do on the terrorism front," White says, noting that several CEOs have gotten involved. Aside from support of the fourth quarter economic stimulus bill, which would accelerate depreciation rates for IT purchases, TechNet has formed an anti-terrorism working group that includes 3Com Chairman Eric Benhamou, Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale, and executives from security and privacy companies.