ABOUT THE INTERNET COALITION
The IC represents internet and e-commerce companies in state public policy discussions. We serve as an informational resource, striving to protect and foster the Internet economy and the benefits it provides customers.
INTERNET COALITION PRIORITY ISSUES
IC engages in state policy debates regarding proposed laws pending which may impact member business models, conflict with industry best practices or unintentionally would have an adverse impact on innovation and growth of e-commerce. Issues of interest include bills related to data privacy, retention, destruction, security and breach; marketing and advertising bans or restrictions; regulation of automatic contract renewals; measures proposing to regulate e-commerce; children’s issues; legislation aimed at social media operators, internet service providers, other online platforms and marketplaces and their customers, and internet taxes related to online retailers, data and digital advertising.
KEY ISSUES INCLUDE:
- Antibias
- Content Moderation
- Algorithms
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
- Biometrics
- E-Commerce
- Retail Issues
- Contract Automatic Renewals
- Internet Privacy
- Filtering, Blocking, Age Verification re: Minors
- Marketing/Advertising Restrictions
- Paid Political Ad Disclaimers
- Data Privacy, Security, Retention, Destruction, Notice
- Taxes – ISPs, Marketplaces, Video Streaming, Data and Ads
- Internet Business Restrictions: Search Engines, Social Media, Online Platforms, ISPs, Marketplaces
MEET OUR STAFF
Tammy Cota
Tammy Cota is executive director of the Internet Coalition. Cota previously worked as executive director of a D.C.-based internet association and has lobbied on privacy, tax and e-commerce issues in the 50-states since the early 90s. Cota graduated summa cum laude from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, where she studied computer networking and PC support. She is also an associate with LEONINE FOCUS, and has been a member of the FOCUS team in various roles since 1991, including representing clients before the Vermont Legislature regarding privacy, technology, tax, health care, recycling and product distribution.
Jorge Padilla
Jorge Padilla joined FOCUS in March 2021 – one of the highlights of FOCUS’ pandemic era. Jorge specializes in tracking health care issues and helps manage our wireless and tax client portfolio. He brings a strong work ethic to the team, built off his experience working on political campaigns. A 2019 graduate of James Madison University (Bachelor of Arts in political science), he served as the director of Dukes for Dukes and was a highly sought-after field coordinator for multiple campaigns. He has also worked as a teaching assistant at JMU, teaching formal logic and ethics. Jorge is a native of Williamsburg, Virginia. He is passionate about environmental and racial justice issues and has — at least temporarily — shelved his training to become a wine sommelier, but has not veered from his quest to make the perfect pizza.
Leif Johnson
Leif Johnson provides strategic counsel and serves as a solutions provider for corporations and trade associations to enhance their state government relations efforts throughout the country. In 2003, he opened the Leonine Washington, D.C. Office and branded the 50-state government affairs practice, FOCUS. He oversees the coalition & association management practice area, along with the state government affairs and legislative/regulatory tracking division. Leif also assumed the role of CEO and Managing Director of The Advocacy Group in 2012. He was president of the Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG), a trade association of government affairs executives and professionals, in 2009-2010.
Previously, he was director of government relations and contracts, and director of corporate communications for West Publishing-Thomson Reuters in Minnesota. At West, Leif helped create a 50-state lobbying network. He managed West’s state and federal government relations and lobbying efforts, guided passage of database protection legislation in the House of Representatives and served as corporate spokesperson for crisis communications events. At Cisco Systems in San Jose, California, Leif was a public relations manager and directed the commercial line of business’ public relations and reputation management initiatives. He also served as a legislative director to U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, a legislative aide to Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson and led a congressional campaign in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District.
