POLICY 101

Glossary

Policy discussions often involve many terms, acronyms, and organizations that are not commonly known. We hope that the guide below will be helpful.

If you come across a term not covered below, feel free to send us a note as we will respond with clarification as soon as possible.

PublicPolicy@Magna.com

A department or regulatory body of the executive branch of government.

A range of technologies meant to improve the safety of vehicles. Examples of ADAS technology include blind spot warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assists, and surround view camera systems. Magna produces several of these technologies.

Job training that includes an on-the-job component as opposed to training that occurs solely in a classroom. There are many kinds of apprenticeships, including those that by the U.S. Department of Labor.

An award certifying the completion of an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship Certificates are issued by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. The apprenticeship system offers two types of credentials: certificate of completion of a program and interim credentials.

A vehicle that contains autonomous technology that allows for a vehicle at different levels of technology operate without a human operator. The five levels of autonomy include: driver assistance, partial automation, conditional automations, high automation, and full automation. Magna has been developing the building blocks for autonomous vehicles for over a decade. Magna was an early entrant into the market with vision products like lane-keeping assist, back-up cameras, and more. Magna is now leading the way to fully autonomous vehicles with our sensing and computing platforms. Magna technology even helped power the first ever international autonomous test drive.

When a legislature consists of two legislative chambers. For example, Congress and most state legislatures are bi-cameral.
A legislative proposal offered for debate before its enactment.
The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, such as the right to free speech and the right to a fair trial, as well as protecting the role of the states in American government.

When two major political parties are involved in cooperation, agreement, or compromise.

The U.S. federal government is divided into three co-equal parts, as outlined in Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution. The purpose of this system is to institutionalize accountability, meaning no one part is theoretically more powerful than another.
Organized, educational activities that offer a sequence of courses that provide individuals with technical skill proficiency, an industry recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree.
Career pathway programs are clear sequences of coursework and credentials that help individuals of varying skill levels earn credentials valued by employers enter rewarding careers in in-demand and emerging industries and occupations. It is a framework for weaving together adult education, training, and college programs and connecting with employers and their workforce needs.
A certification indicates that the individual has acquired the necessary knowledge, skills, and sometimes personal attributes to perform a specific occupation or skill. These are intended to set professional standards for qualifications.
Legislative bodies use committees to organize the policy making process. Committees are organized by legislative chamber and subject. Each committee maintains its own leadership. Subcommittees are formed to focus on more narrow topics under the jurisdiction of the committee. Most bills are sent to committee. Committees often have the authority to amend, approve, and disapprove of bills. If approved by a committee, a bill will often be sent to a full chamber of the legislature for consideration.
Someone who is represented be a legislator or other elected official.
A document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the United States is governed. It was drafted and signed in 1787. The last of the original 13 colonies, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790. The Constitution has been amended 27 times, including the amendments contained in the Bill of Rights.
In the U.S., a county is the largest territorial division for local government within a state. Counties often contain smaller sub-units of government, such as a city, village, or township. As of 2016, there are a total of 3,142 counties and county-equivalents across the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
A group of elected officials who represent a county. In form and substance, a County Commission is often the legislative body of the county. County Commissioners can set policy, provide oversight, offer services to residents, and oversee budgets. The power of a County Commission depends on the authority delegated to the County by the state government.
To eliminate an interrelationship, typically used in the context of the federal and state tax codes. For example, some states may choose to adopt certain provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code. Other states may choose to decouple, or not adopt, that same provision.
An amount subtracted from taxable income for certain expenses.
A territorial division created for the administration of elections. In the U.S., districts can vary significantly in geographic size and shape. U.S. Congressional districts are supposed to be roughly equal in population, with an average size of 710,767. An individual will often live in multiple layers of districts, such as a unique U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate, and State House of Representatives district.
The process of improving the economic conditions in a community. Often involves public-private partnerships and efforts to attract business investment and job creation.
The process of the vehicle fleet converting from one that is predominantly powered by the internal combustion engine to one propelled by electricity. In the next few years, there will be over 40 powertrain architectures on the market, from internal combustion to fully electric. Magna offers electrified systems with our scalable building blocks, making sure we are ready for varying customer requirements.

Engine Classification for Vehicles:

  • BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle
  • EV: Electric Vehicle
  • HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle
  • ICE: Internal Combustion Engine
  • PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
  • ZEV: Zero-emissions Vehicle
  • The branch of government responsible for the execution of laws. The federal executive branch is established in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. In the U.S. federal government, the president is the head of the executive branch. The executive branch also includes various departments and agencies, such as the U.S. Department of State and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. State governments are typically structured similar, with the head of the executive branch being the governor.
    These are also known as accelerated programs. Fast-track programs are designed to take less time than traditional courses, thereby addressing the barrier of time commitments for traditional courses that do not always fit the employee. Courses can be presented in less time than conventional courses or can be an intensive, presented over a condensed period of time.
    International trade without Tariffs, Quotas, or other Trade Barriers.
    The federal government sets certain fuel emissions standards for passenger vehicles and light duty trucks, known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) standards administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Automakers are required to meet these standards. Emissions are measured by fuel economy standards and various tests the fleets must perform to show their fuel efficiency to the relevant government agency.
    Term of art often used to label a state legislature.
    The elected official who leads the state executive branch of government.
    Funding awarded by a government or other organization for a particular purpose. A grant is usually awarded to a specific party that has certain standards and benchmarks that must be met in order to receive and retain the funds. Unless there is some breach of an agreement, grants do not have to be repaid.
    Occupations having more than the median number of total openings for a region.
    Occupations requiring post-secondary training or higher. Also, occupations requiring long-term on-the-job training or related work experience.
    The lower house of a legislative body. In the U.S. federal government, the House of Representatives currently includes 435 members. Each member represents a district. Apportionment and voting districts change every ten years based on Census results. In the U.S. House of Representatives, members serve two-year terms. Most states have a house of representatives, but there is more variety in terms of composition, number of representatives, and terms. Some states impose term limits, others have four-year terms. The largest state house of representatives is New Hampshire, with 400 members. The smallest is Alaska, with 40 members.
    Taxes paid by individuals and businesses based on earned and unearned income.
    A tax that can be passed on to another individual or entity.
    Geographic concentration of interconnected companies and institutions that have some type of systemic relationship that is complimentary within a region.
    Credentials that “are either developed or endorsed by a nationally-recognized industry association or organization and are sought or accepted by companies within the industry sector for purposes of hiring or recruitment.” Having credential be industry-recognized ensures potential employers that holder of the credential have the core competencies needed by employers for industry jobs.
    A bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury, the IRS is the government agency responsible for collecting taxes and for enforcing the tax code.
    The exchange of goods or services across international borders. Trade increases competition, which leads to more affordable products for consumers and increased opportunities for businesses.
    The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws. The federal judiciary is established in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court is the most recognizable, and powerful, court in the U.S., but the U.S. maintains a complex system of federal and state trial and appellate courts with different personal and subject matter jurisdiction.
    The branch of government traditionally responsible for writing, debating, and passing laws. The federal legislative branch, more commonly known as Congress, is established in Article I of the U.S. Constitution. Congress is divided into two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives.State legislatures are typically structured similarly.
    The act of making a vehicle and the components within the vehicle lighter, and therefore more fuel efficient. Making vehicles lighter is one of the key methods of meeting fuel efficiency standards.
    A tax charged by a local government, such as a city or county.
    The head of the majority party in a legislative body. For example, in the 116th Congress, the Senate Majority Leader is Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. In the U.S. Senate, the majority leader schedules the daily legislative program and fashions the unanimous consent agreements that govern the time for debate.
    The head of the minority party in a legislative body. For example, in the 116th Congress, the Senate Minority Leader is Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.
    A local government structure that is incorporated, typically with certain powers of self-government. If a municipality is incorporated, it is traditionally known as either a city, township, or village. Municipalities are often governed by a mayor or township supervisor and a city council or board of trustees.
    An agency of the federal government, housed within the U.S. Department of Transportation, tasked with promulgating and enforcing vehicle performance standards. Its stated goal is to reduce deaths, injuries, and economic loss from motor vehicle crashes.
    An agency of the federal government that is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues. The current U.S. Trade Representative is Robert Lighthizer.
    A tax paid for Social Security and Unemployment Insurance.
    A credential that is “recognized and accepted as verifying the qualifications of an individual in other settings- either in other geographic areas, at other educational institutions, or by other industries or employing companies.” This provides value to all technical and career courses and makes the pathway easier to navigate and more flexible for a variety of employees.
    In the U.S. Senate, the Vice President of the United States presides over the Senate. In the event of a tie, the Vice President is empowered to cast the deciding vote. If the Vice President is unavailable, there is a president pro-tempore who is designated to substitute for the Vice President.
    A tax levied on real or personal property, such as real estate or machinery and equipment.
    A Trade Barrier that limits the number or value of goods that can be exported or imported over a specific period.
    Confirmation and acceptance of a previous act or piece of legislation.
    Land and anything growing on, affixed to, or built upon that land.
    A credit which will paid to you as a refund if you owe no tax.
    A rule or order, having legal force, issued by an administrative agency.
    Work directed toward the innovation, introduction, and improvement of products and processes.
    A formal expression of the opinion intention, or decision by an official body, typically adopted by a legislature.
    A reciprocal tax imposed by Country A on imports from Country B, the purpose of which is to pressure Country B into removing its own tax on imports from Country A.
    A tax on retail products, goods, and services. It is based on a certain percentage, typically set by the state, of the price.
    Under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the U.S. government can launch an investigation regarding the effect of an import on national security.
    Under the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. government can launch an investigation regarding whether a country has violated a trade agreement, or has policies that violate international law, are discriminatory, and/or burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
    The upper house of a legislative body. In the U.S. Senate, each state is represented by two Senators regardless of population size. For example, California has an estimated population of more than 39 million people while Wyoming is home to fewer than 600,000 people. Both states have the same number of U.S. Senators. There are 100 members of the U.S. Senate, and each senator serves the entire state. US. Senators serve six-year terms. In the states, senate composition is typically divided into districts based on population. However, state senates are typically smaller than state houses of representatives, so the state senators will represent more constituents.
    Occupations that require a special skill, knowledge, or ability, which can be obtained at a college, technical school, or through specialized training. Typically, these occupations do not require a four-year degree.
    The leader of the House of Representatives. A member of the majority party, the speaker is elected by the other representatives from the majority party to lead the house. The speaker presides over debate, appoints members to committees, establishes the policy agenda, maintains order, and swears in new members of the house.
    Refers to a credential that is a portion of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time, that assist in upskilling an employee into a new career path offering more potential in career growth. Stackable credentials produce faster results for the student and the employer because students do not have to waste time by only taking academic courses before beginning any technical courses. The stacked design also facilitates navigating a career pathway since aggregating credentials will build to a degree.
    Member of the house of representatives in a state legislative body. Traditionally, there are more state representatives than state senators in the legislative body.
    Member of the state senate in a state legislative body. Traditionally, there are fewer state senators than state representatives in the legislative body.
    The highest court in the United States. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certain cases, such as suits between two or more states, and appellate jurisdiction on almost any other case that involves a point of constitutional or federal law. The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of the United States and such number of Associate Justices as may be fixed by Congress. The number of Associate Justices is currently fixed at eight. Power to nominate the Justices is vested in the President of the United States, and appointments are made with the advice and consent of the Senate. Appointments are for life. A vacancy may occur after a death of a justice or retirement.
    A pool of candidates ready to fill a position.
    A tax on goods or services exported or imported across international borders.
    A reduction of local property taxes.
    The entire body of tax laws, regulation, and procedures.
    An amount of money that can be offset against a tax liability.
    A reduction in the tax rate.
    The percentage at which an individual or corporation is taxed.
    The maximum amount of time an elected official may hold an office. Article II of the U.S. Constitution sets presidential terms at four years, and the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” Members of Congress are not subject to term limits. Some states maintain term limits for governors and state legislators, but the specific limits vary from state to state.
    A government-imposed restriction on Free Trade. Trade Barriers often take the form of Tariffs or Quotas but can also include actions such as overly burdensome regulations.
    An executive department of the federal government that is responsible for promoting job creation and economic growth in the U.S. There are 12 bureaus housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce, including the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
    An executive department of the federal government that administers federal labor laws.
    An executive department of the federal government that oversees all modes of transportation and the infrastructure. Its is composed of 11 operating administrations, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the NHTSA.
    An executive agency of the federal government responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. There are 10 bureaus housed within the Department of Treasury, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Office of Inspector General. Its activities include advising the president on economic and financial issues, encouraging sustainable economic growth, and fostering improved governance in financial institutions.
    An independent agency of the federal government tasked with protecting human health and the environment. EPA develops and enforces regulations pursuant to statutory grants of authority from Congress. It also provides grants for various environmental initiatives across the U.S., and informs U.S. citizens through studies, research, teaching, and publications.
    The process of teaching an employee new or an additional skill.
    The wireless exchange of data between vehicles and road infrastructure. Enabled by a system of hardware, software, and firmware, V2I communication is typically wireless and bi-directional: infrastructure components such as lane markings, road signs, and traffic lights can wirelessly provide information to the vehicle, and vice versa.
    The wireless exchange of information about between vehicles regarding speed, location, and heading. The technology behind V2V communication allows vehicles to broadcast and receive omni-directional messages, creating a 360-degree “awareness” of other vehicles in proximity. Vehicles equipped with appropriate software (or safety applications) can use the messages from surrounding vehicles to determine potential crash threats as they develop. These alerts allow drivers the ability to take action to avoid crashes.
    A power of one governmental branch to prohibit an action by another. The most prominent example is a chief executive’s refusal to sign into law a bill passed by the legislature. In the U.S., the president and governors can wield veto power.

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