TLPAC and Rep. Sanchez Urge President Obama to add a Small Tech Firm to new Jobs Council

Key House Democrats today called on President Obama to name a representative of a small information technology firm to serve on the recently-created Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (Jobs Council). President Obama announced the creation of the Jobs Council in January. No representative of the small IT industry is currently a member of the Council.

“We believe it is essential that small information technology businesses be represented on your Jobs Council. Their inclusion will enable this part of the economic sector to provide key insight and guidance regarding their continued role in American competitiveness and innovation,” said the House Democrats who signed the letter to the President. “There is no question our country’s employment, economic recovery, and long-term longevity is reliant on small businesses and the innovation they create.”

The letter to President Obama, spearheaded by Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), notes that small IT firms employ over 2.7 million workers. The House Democrats asserted that small technology companies are vital to U.S. competitiveness because they provide high-wage jobs and critical innovations that bolster America’s overall competitiveness. Among the letter’s signatories is Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications & Technology.

“We thank Rep. Sanchez and the additional members of the House for calling on the President to have a small technology firm serve on the Jobs Council,” said Kirsten Mangers, Chair of TLPAC. “It was a mistake for the President not to include a representative of a small technology firm on the Council. One of TLPAC’s top priorities is to assure decisions made in Washington and state capitals reflect our community’s knowledge and expertise. Naming a representative of the small technology industry to serve on the council would be a step in the right direction.”

About TLPAC. TLPAC is a bipartisan organization comprised of small and mid-sized technology companies. Our mission is to support state and federal policy issues vital to innovation, competitiveness and entrepreneurship in the technology sector. Small technology firms are integral to the economy by providing high-wage jobs and critical innovations that bolster worldwide American competitiveness. For more information, visit www.tlpac.com or call + 1 949-600-7742 or +1 202-263-1120.