Happy 2010 Readers,

I wanted to point you to an interesting Newsweek article, http://www.newsweek.com/id/229210?from=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+newsweek%2FrBgp+%28Newsweek+Top+News%29&utm_content=Twitter that discusses how the prolonged recession is affecting business start ups and risk taking. 

Since small businesses, especially high-tech ones, are the primary driver of job growth, it is necessary for lots of small businesses to start.  Even though the failure rate is high for startups of all types, the new technologies, business processes and especially the hiring of new workers creates economic dynamism, which generates additional economic activity that generates new wealth and tax revenue for governments.

The article muses about this generation's appetite for risk-taking as people have lost jobs, homes and paper wealth of enormous amounts.  Will 30 somethings still want to go out on their own if they are nervous about making the mortgage?  Will aging workers with savings and a good idea still want to start their own business and leave the relative safe confines of a large corporation?

If America is to get its mojo back, we must not back away from starting new companies and trying new ideas.  Government at all levels must be welcoming to entrepreneurs and not stifle them with unnecessary regulations or punitive taxes.

With the legislature starting January 11, WTIA will be in Olympia closely monitoring legislation that affects technology business owners.  If proposals are introduced that would hurt the ability of entrepreneurs to start or maintain businesses, WTIA will be there to oppose those.  WTIA will be pushing for improvements to K-12 education and to maintain funding for STEM degrees at the state's higher education instiutions.

You can read more about WTIA's advocacy here:  http://www.washingtontechnology.org/pages/advocacy/advocacy_index.asp 

Feel free to contact us at Lmcmurran@washingtontechnology.org to learn more or get involved.