CEOs from the nation’s leading technology companies have unveiled a comprehensive report outlining a strategy for U.S. competitiveness for the 21st Century. As the nation heads into the important 2008 election cycle, the report calls on policymakers to embrace a positive, action-oriented agenda that leverages U.S. strengths to compete in the increasingly global marketplace.
The report, entitled, “A Great Nation: How Americans Can Lead and Prosper in a Changing World,” was released by the Technology CEO Council, a CEO policy advocacy group focused on ensuring U.S. competitiveness through technology leadership.
Competitiveness will be a fundamental issue in the 2008 elections. The “Great Nation” report outlines how the United States can leverage its inherent strengths to remain an economic leader in a global marketplace:
— Building on our openness and inclusiveness by opening global markets, attracting the best and brightest workers and adopting a responsible and effective export control policy.
— Taking advantage of our information-rich infrastructure by promoting infrastructure in telecommunications, health, energy and transportation and utilizing data effectively to advance homeland security, health and research.
— Extending our innovation excellence by promoting basic research through federal, state and university programs, promoting science and tech education and strengthening the R&D tax credit.
— Unleashing our entrepreneurial spirit by eliminating uneconomic subsidies, maintaining a balanced intellectual property regime and promoting tax policies that incent individuals and businesses to innovate and invest in the United States.
To view a copy of the report, go to www.techceocouncil.org.
There are near-term initiatives that the Administration and Congress can take today to advance U.S. competitiveness. TCC earlier this year unveiled its “Seven for 07” agenda that includes many initiatives that have a clear bipartisan consensus. The agenda includes:
— Increase funding for proven programs and incentives for math teacher recruitment and professional development.
— Double basic research budgets at the NSF, NIST, DOE’s Office of Science, and DOD.
— Renew Presidential Trade Promotion Authority with an expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance program to include service sector employees and more effectively assist workers in transition.
— Pass immigration reform that ensures the best and brightest can study and work in the United States.
— Enable accelerated use of information technology in health care services.
— Make a strengthened, modernized R&D tax credit permanent.
— Reform the patent system to address unjustified lawsuits, patent quality and global protection of intellectual property.
Technology CEO Council companies generate over $300 billion in annual revenues and employ over 750,000 workers. Founded in 1989 and formerly known as the Computer Systems Policy Project, its members, beside Mr. Otellini, Mr. Splinter and Mr. Tucci, include Ed Zander, Chairman and CEO of Motorola, Inc. and current TCC Chairman; Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Inc; Mark V. Hurd, Chairman, President and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Company; Joseph McGrath, President and CEO of Unisys Corporation; William Nuti, President and CEO of NCR Corporation; and, Samuel J. Palmisano, Chairman, President and CEO of IBM Corporation.
The Technology CEO Council is a CEO policy advocacy group focused on ensuring U.S. competitiveness through technology leadership. The CEOs visit Washington twice annually to meet with lawmakers about policy issues of importance to the high-tech industry and work throughout the year to promote education, analysis and recommendations. For more information, please visit www.techceocouncil.org.