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
IC CONSUMER CONVENIENCE IN CONTRACTS COALITION
The Internet Coalition manages the Consumer Convenience in Contracts Coalition (CCCC). Membership consists of companies and trade associations who strive to provide consumers with clear and convenient service options, such as subscription and other automatic renewing services. CCCC believes in transparent, customer focused, and consistent policy across the 50 states.
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.
Kiera Casey
Kiera Casey joined FOCUS as Policy Analyst in 2020. She specializes in tracking technology and privacy issues, and has experience in association management. Kiera graduated from the University of Vermont in 2020 with a B.S. in Psychological Sciences. During her time at UVM, she interned with Washington County Mental Health, a community-based program for individuals presenting with a wide variety of mental health issues. Prior to joining FOCUS, she gained invaluable experience as the Campaign Manager for Jo Sabel Courtney’s Vermont House (Lamoille-1) campaign and an Events Organizer with the Vermont Democratic Party. She also previously worked as a Project manager with the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, which enabled her to take advantage of her dual citizenship, live for a while in Dublin and take the lead at the Galway Film Fleadh.
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.