The Information Technology Association of America says lawmakers in the 109th Congress need to act on a number of issues the group says are critical to the U.S.'s global competitiveness.
By Paul McDougall
InformationWeek
Nov 20, 2006 04:00 PM
A lobby group backed by IBM, Microsoft, Intel, and other tech industry giants is urging Congress to pass a new research and development tax credit and increase the supply of H1-B immigrant visas before the current session adjourns.
The Information Technology Association of America says lawmakers in the 109th Congress also need to act on a number of other issues the group says are critical to the U.S.'s global competitiveness. "Our leaders need to foster an environment that encourages new ideas and new technologies," said ITAA president Phil Bond, in a statement released Monday.
Patent laws and international trade are also on the group's reform agenda.
In its statement, the ITAA notes that the federal research and development tax credit expired almost a year ago and has not been renewed. "Until it's extended, companies cannot accurately plan to finance new or continued research and development initiatives within America's borders," according to the ITAA.
http://www.informationweek.com/outsourcing/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=194700008~snip~ The ITAA has drawn criticism in the past from groups representing programmers and other tech industry workers who claim the organization puts the needs of its big corporate members ahead of the rights of American workers and small businesses, who in many cases are opposed to increased immigration and changes to the patent system.