Hello Readers,

I wanted to pass on a great article that appeared on John Cook's Techflash blog on Tuesday.  Here is the link to the article:  http://www.techflash.com/Lazowska_Washingtons_smug_tech_industry_needs_kick_in_butt44821697.html?commentSubmission=.3137723467#comments

The comments come from UW Computer Science Professor Ed Lazowska, who also sits on the WTIA Board of Directors.  Ed doesn't pull any punches and there are some interesting tidbits on a wide range of topics.

The one area that resonates with me is the need for the state's technology industry to coalesce, as an industry, around key public policy issues, particularly education, both K-12 and higher education, among other issues.

Our problem is that we, as the state's most dynamic and important industry, are not as important a political force as our economic influence should have us be.  Sure, Microsoft is very influential with the Governor and the legislature but they are looking out for their interests.  Luckily, Microsoft's interests match that of the broader IT/software/internet industry in that the Redmond software company is engaged in improving K-12, increasing higher education capacity, promoting more transportation options and maintaining a decent business climate for starting and growing technology companies.  But we need more voices saying the same thing.

WTIA actively lobbies for the industry's interests in Olympia and elsewhere but our resources are stretched thin.  Most other industries and certainly the unions and other special interests have much greater involvement in legislation and politics than the tech industry.  This is not to say that many, many individuals within the tech industry are not engaged; they most definitely are but it is more around their own pet causes than in strengthening the tech industry's influence.

Part of this is due to the entrepreneurial and unregulated nature of high-tech.  One of the reasons the tech sector has thrived in our state and around the country is because it is essentially unregulated.  Entrepreneuers tend to be "lone eagles" who have no time or inclination to be involved in the slow moving process of government.  Can't really blame them for that.

Yet if we want better schools where teachers actually know math and science and where students learn math and science; if we want to see more students graduate with STEM or other meaningful degrees; if we want to maintain a business climate that does not overburden small employers, then the tech industry must step up into a greater leadership role.

One way is to help grow our political resources.  Here is a link to our Political Action Committee page on our website:  http://www.washingtontechnology.org/pages/advocacy/advocacy_wsa_pac.asp

Contributing to the WTIA PAC is a simple way to help the industry improve its political standing. 

Another way is to get involved in our advocacy and lobbying efforts.  We are seeking tech industry executives who are willing to sit down with us to discuss and decide the industry's public policy priorities and be advocates with us to improve our state.

If this is something that interests you or your tech industry colleagues, please contact me at Lmcmurran@washingtontechnology.org or by phone at (206) 448-3033 x101 to get involved.  We are forming an "Executive Policy Council" that will shape the industry's priorities and devise strategies to achieve our goals.  We need you.  Thank you.