Tech Groups Prepare Lobbying Blitz

Members of Congress and the Obama administration can anticipate a high-tech lobbying blitz as the boards of both the Information Technology Industry Council and TechNet converge in Washington next week. ITI represents heavyweights like Apple Computer, Cisco Systems, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell while TechNet's leadership consists of investors in, and CEOs of, top Silicon Valley firms. This is the first time the organizations have united in such a purposeful way, ITI lobbyist Ralph Hellman said. Areas of focus include making sure technology-related economic stimulus dollars are spent wisely, patent legislation and trade issues. They will also urge lawmakers to reject attempts to enact changes to tax law that would be harmful to the high-tech community. Obama has proposed such a provision, known as deferral, which tech leaders believe gives companies an incentive to move jobs overseas.