2007 Legislative Reception Sponsors

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2007 Legislative Priorities
 

The Greater Richmond Technology Council considers the following priorities paramount to the future success of Virginia’s technology infrastructure and economic development.

Accordingly, the Council calls upon Governor Kaine and the General Assembly to:
 

• Increase the Commonwealth’s investment in Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology. Specific increases are needed for the GAP program and CIT services.

• Expand Virginia's capacity for R&D, and facilitate new partnerships between the private sector and Virginia's research universities in conducting and commercializing basic research, applied research and development, and university-developed intellectual property.

•  Fund the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund (CTRF) at a minimum of $5M

• If necessary, revise current legislation that aims to simplify the process by which universities transfer ownership of intellectual property developed through industry supported research.

• Establish Virginia as a center for biotechnology and nanotechnology industries and research.

• Develop programs that inform and encourage students to pursue higher education in areas critical to the continued growth of Virginia’s technology industry. Provide financial and other incentives for students entering degree programs in math, science, and engineering, to include: continued funding for FIRST Robotics, and STEM Education (HJ 25 Cosgrove)

• Invest in e-government initiatives that incorporate information technologies and enabling procedures that enhance the services provided to Virginia’s citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.

• Encourage the use of Telework as one strategy in the Commonwealth’s efforts to: increase the potential employment pool, reduce traffic congestion, enhance disaster recovery/continuation of operations plans, avoid productivity loss from inclement weather days, and improve employee satisfaction levels.

• Support the continued transition of statewide IT resources into the consolidated Virginia Information Technologies Agency, and promote the expanded use of private-sector expertise in addressing the technology needs of state government.

• Ensure that the Commonwealth’s tax and regulatory environment supports the strategic growth, attraction, and anchoring of technology-based industries, and provide incentives for entrepreneurial startups.

• Establish Virginia as a “location of choice” for Internet-based business by opposing the Streamlined Sales Tax Project. Work with our congressional delegation and through the National Governor’s Association to ensure states may “opt out” of this misguided initiative.

• Balance the Commonwealth’s economic development strategies to provide equal support for existing industry development, assisting technology start-ups, and attracting new business.