Bush also left some questions for the tech community on the future of certain programs. The government budget process is a lengthy, at times heated one that will require all sides to make their case. Rarely is a budget battle easily won or lost. ITAA will focus on the items in the FY 2002 budget that impact the tech industry both short and long-term our customers, and the U.S. and global economies, and we will work to make them priorities for Congress and the President. Among the IT provisions ITAA supports in the President s budget are several new priorities such as math and science education partnerships and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office funding increases, as well as some key issues such as promoting e-government and combating cyber crime.
Lets take a look at some of the top tech issues in the new budget.
With the critical shortage of much needed skilled technology workers, this emphasis on math and science education cannot be underestimated. We support these proposals and encourage the Administration to look at other ways to improve this key segment of our education system. A permanent extension of the Research and Development tax credit, a long-term public policy goal of our industry, is included in the President s budget. This credit will give technology companies certainty as they plan their research budgets into the future. While his budget proposes medical research funding at significant increases, some of the key non-medical technology research programs have been frozen or cut.