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California Retains Tech Supremacy
by Michael Martinez
California remains the hub of America's technology industry, according to a report released Wednesday by a national trade association.
The annual Cyberstates report from the tech group AeA ranked California as the leader in high-tech employment, exports and venture-capital investment. The Golden State, which is home to about 904,900 high-tech jobs, also topped AeA's list for overall payrolls and average worker salaries.
But according to AeA, California lost roughly 102,600 jobs between 1999 and 2004. The downsizing of its high-tech workforce concerns industry officials, but they said they are optimistic that the trend soon will be reversed. AeA's report found that job losses in California have slowed since 2003.
Tim Guertin, the CEO of Palo Alto-based Varian Medical Systems, said he is encouraged by the analysis and confident in California's technology sector.
"California remains a fertile environment for new ideas and new technology companies," he said in a release. "Venture-capital investments in California jumped by $395 million, the most in the nation. Silicon Valley continues to be a primary destination for this investment."
Texas and Virginia also scored well in AeA's report.
Virginia, which added more than 9,000 jobs between 2003 and 2004, is now the nation's fifth-largest tech employer. AeA attributed recent job growth in Virginia to the success of its computer systems and design firms. Virginia also ranked second in AeA's list of states with the highest concentration of tech jobs, behind Colorado. About 8.9 percent of all private-sector employees in Virginia work for technology firms, according to AeA.
"The high-tech industry is booming in Virginia," said Gregory Poersch, executive director of the AeA Potomac Council. "Tech jobs, wages, and exports are all on the rise. Venture-capital investments jumped by 38 percent in 2005. If these trends continue, next year Virginia will become the state with the highest concentration of tech workers in the nation."
The Lone Star State ranked only behind California in employment, payroll, venture capital and tech exports. AeA also listed Texas as the nation's second-largest employer in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing, semiconductors and telecommunications.
Sue Dark, chairwoman of the AeA Texas Council, said her state's strong performance is indicative of nationwide growth. "Tech is slowly turning the corner from the nationwide technology downturn," she said.
AeA CEO William Archey agreed that the data suggests America's tech industry is again moving forward. But he urged lawmakers to adopt policies conducive to further growth.
"We need to invest in long-term basic research, particularly in the physical sciences," he said. "We need to reform our visa system so that the best and the brightest individuals come and stay in the United States, creating companies, products, wealth and jobs. And most importantly, we need dramatic improvements in our educational system so that our children are prepared to compete in an economy that is knowledge based and driven by technology."
Florida Weighs Cable-Friendly Franchising Bill
A Florida Senate panel on Tuesday approved a measure to let local regulators retain their authority on video services.
The measure, S.B. 900, would require local governments to adopt ordinances by 2011 to establish standards for companies providing video services within their jurisdictions. The standards outlined by the ordinances would replace existing franchising rules.
Under the bill, local regulators would have to adopt minimum standards for public education and government access channels, consumer-complaint processes and rights-of-way rules. The measure would not require entrants to provide service to specific areas within localities.
The Senate Communications and Public Utilities Committee approved the measure 9-1.
A separate House measure, H.B. 1199, would strip local regulators of their control over video franchising by letting entrants bypass them and apply for statewide franchises. Telephone companies are lobbying hard on behalf the House bill, which they said would eliminate obstacles that have slowed their entry into the video market.
The House Finance and Tax, and Utilities and Communications committees have approved the bill.
Missouri Eyes Online Campaign Disclosures
The Missouri state House on Wednesday approved, by voice vote, a campaign finance bill that would require lawmakers to electronically file reports on their expenditures and campaign contributions so they can be posted online later.
Under the bill, H.B. 1900, the executive director the state ethics commission would conduct monthly audits on the electronic reports submitted by members of the General Assembly. The audits, which would cite missing or inaccurate information in the financial disclosures, also would be available on the Internet. Errors in the financial reports would have to be corrected within 30 days.
The bill further would mandate that the ethics commission post on the Web all letters sent to candidates or committee treasurers regarding the accuracy of their financial reports.
Wisconsin Bill For Virtual Schools Is Vetoed
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday vetoed a measure to outline regulations for virtual charter schools in his state.
The measure, H.B. 1060, would expand the state definition of the teaching profession to include anyone who assigns grades or credits to students. It also would exempt predominantly online schools from restrictions that apply to traditional charter schools regarding their authorization by local school boards. The proposal further would expand the authority of charter schools to charge tuition for non-state residents.
In a letter to lawmakers, Doyle said he vetoed the measure because he believed it would lower state standards for teachers at both traditional and virtual charter schools. He said the bill would have let instructors interact with pupils without proper state-issued licenses or permits.
"When it comes to education, I'm a pretty basic guy, and I simply believe that teaching should be done by professional, certified teachers," Doyle said. "We shouldn't have a lower standard for students in virtual schools than we have for students in regular schools."
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