Rep. Sanchez, TechAmerica hold technology roundtable

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 47th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 7, 2011

MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Watson 202-309-0825

SANCHEZ, TECHAMERICA HOLD TECHNOLOGY ROUNDTABLE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) and TechAmerica, the leading US technology trade association, held a roundtable with Orange County’s technology leaders on Thursday to discuss federal initiatives to drive innovation and job growth. Rep. Sanchez, founder and co-chair of the Small Business Information Technology (IT) Caucus, lead the roundtable discussion. The meeting was attended by representatives from Alvaka Networks, Corent Technology, Powerwave, SYSPRO and Valicore Technologies.

“It’s vital that we in Congress work to promote the United States technology industry, especially the 95% of these firms which are small businesses,” said Sanchez. “I was glad to spend time today with Orange County’s technology leaders and I am eager to relay their thoughts to my colleagues in Congress.”

During the roundtable, business leaders relayed to Rep. Sanchez their concern that the process for the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit has too much red tape for small IT businesses to benefit from. Roundtable attendees suggested streamlining the process to help firms fully take advantage of the credit. Leaders also discussed the importance of training talented local students in science, engineering and math at the earliest possible stages so they can join the information technology workforce.

“Representative Sanchez is an emerging policy leader for the U.S. technology sector and she understands the tremendous role that California’s technology industry plays in the global economy. By hearing directly from leading technology companies, she is well-prepared to champion the federal policies essential to spurring innovation and entrepreneurship in Orange County. We look forward to continuing to work with the Congresswoman to advances an innovation agenda,” said Phil Bond, President and CEO of TechAmerica.

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is proud to represent California’s 47th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and parts of Fullerton in Orange County. She serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Sanchez is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Joint Economic Committee.

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