The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) formulates and carries out U.S. foreign economic policy, integrating U.S. economic interests with our foreign policy goals so that U.S. firms and investors can compete on an equal basis with their counterparts overseas. It implements American economic policy in cooperation with U.S. companies, U.S. Government agencies, and other organizations.

The Bureau of Information Resource Management provides the information technology and services the Department needs to successfully carry out its foreign policy mission.

Export.gov provides online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for your international business whether youre just starting or expanding your global sales.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

The mission of the IRS is to help America's taxpayers understand and meet their tax responsibilities. The IRS has a special page containing tax information for businesses.

The NTIA is the President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy issues, and in this role frequently works with other Executive Branch agencies to develop and present the Administration's position on these issues.

The CBA coordinates State Department advocacy on behalf of American businesses and offers problem-solving assistance in opening markets, leveling the playing field, and resolving trade and investment disputes.

The OSTP's mission is to serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of the Federal Government.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The USTR coordinates trade policy, resolves disagreements, and frames issues for presidential decision.

The Small Business Administration's mission is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.

The SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small business to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

The Technology Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce works to maximize technology's contribution to America's economic growth by advocating for technology in the federal policy-making process, expanding opportunity for high-technology business, and promoting the development and commercialization of new innovations and state-of-the-art technologies. It includes three agencies:

• The Office of Technology Policy (OTP) fosters dialogue and develops and advocates national policies and initiatives that use technology to build America's economic strength.
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops and promotes measurement, standards, and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life.
• The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) collects and disseminates scientific, technical, engineering and related business information produced by the U.S. government and foreign sources.

The USPTO's mission is to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries.

Thomas - Legislative Information on the Internet, the Library of Congress's site for congressional information.

• Appropriations Committee
• Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
• Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
• Finance Committee
• Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
• Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight
• Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

• Energy and Commerce Committee
• Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
• Homeland Security Committee
• Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Cybersecurity Subcommittee
• Energy Preparedness, Science, and Technology Subcommittee
• Small Business Committee
• Rural Enterprises, Agriculture, and Technology Subcommittee
• Ways and Means Committee
• Subcommittee on Trade
• Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures

• Patty Murray
• Maria Cantwell

Access Washington is the official web site of the government of the State of Washington. It provides state news and links to a variety of government and business resources.

• Governor Christine Gregoire
• Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen
• Secretary of State Sam Reed
• Attorney General Rob McKenna (the attorney general maintains a tech unit)

The International Trade Division at the Department of Commerce seeks to help businesses connect with financing options, infrastructure and tax incentive programs, energy cost reduction strategies, site selection tools, and more. It also has resources available to help companies establish or expand international trade connections.

This site includes resources for job seekers, businesses, and students.

DIS provides telecommunications, computing and digital services to more than 700 Washington state agencies, boards and commissions, local governments, tribal organizations, qualifying nonprofits and federal agencies.

This department helps employers meet safety and health standards and inspects workplaces when alerted to hazards.

The department's web site includes a variety of information concerning business-licensing practices in Washington.

The Department of Revenue collects more than 94 percent of state taxes and a significant share of local taxes. The departments web site includes, in part, the following useful material:

• The 2004 Annual Survey for High Technology, B&O Tax Credit, Tax Deferral Program for High Technology Businesses, and Tax Deferral Program for Investment Projects in Rural Counties
• A study of the high technology R & D tax incentives

The ISB is a 15-member Board made up of leadership from the state agencies, Legislature, courts, higher education and the private sector. State law directs the ISB to:

• Develop standards to govern the acquisition and disposition of equipment, software and purchased services;
• Approve IT acquisitions or set rules that delegate acquisition authority;
• Develop statewide or interagency technical policies;
• Review and approve the statewide IT strategic plans;
• Provide oversight on large projects;
• Establish and monitor appeals processes.

The Office of Financial Management provides vital information, fiscal services, and policy support that the Governor, Legislature, and state agencies need to serve the people of Washington State.

This web site was developed to help businesses and citizens locate rule information and to help discover information on environmental permitting services. It provides links to cities, counties, economic development councils, business license information, agency rulemaking information, and environmental permitting services.

The WTC provides a collaborative effort between the state's universities, private industry and government in performing and commercializing research on a statewide basis to benefit the economic vitality of the state.

The WUTC is a three-member board, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to six year terms, that regulates the rates, services, and practices of privately-owned utilities and transportation companies, including electric, telecommunications, natural gas, water, and solid waste collection companies, pipeline safety, private commercial ferries, buses, and motor carriers. The WUTC has a special page for the telecommunications industry.

This site features labor market information and economic analysis.

• Washington State Legislature Home Page
• Legislative Member Rosters and Information
• Legislative E-Mail Service

• International Trade & Economic Development
• Ways and Means

• Technology, Energy and Communications