Massachusetts High Technology Council 2005 CEO Business Climate & Public Policy Priority Survey – January 19, 2005

Massachusetts High Technology Council has conducted the High Technology Business Climate Survey each year since 1987. Chief executive officers are asked questions concerning the business climate in Massachusetts for creating, operating and expanding high technology businesses. The purpose is to make sure that the Council's objectives reflect member concerns and priorities.

The results of the 2005 Massachusetts High Technology Business Climate Survey are shown in the charts below.

2005 Public Policy Priority Rankings

1) Work to protect or make tax structure more competitive (FE)
2) Work to expand/protect Hanscom AFB and Natick SSC (FE)
3) Support bio/pharma growth, oppose bad policies (HC)
4) Work to make Unemployment Insurance more competitive (FE)
5) Develop/implement tech-focused economic development strategy (FE)
6) Reform medical malpractice system (HC)
7) Unite technology leadership on core economic competitiveness issues (EC)
8) Enhance/maintain budget growth limit (EC)
9) Boost pipeline of tech workers from Mass. public schools (ED)
10) Support technology for better health care system (HC)
10a) Oppose creation of a universal health care system (HC)

2005 Public Policy Priority Rankings (asked for top five priorities)

1) Work to protect or make tax structure more competitive (FE) (1)
2) Work to expand/protect Hanscom AFB and Natick SSC (FE) (2)
3) Develop/implement tech-focused economic development strategy (FE) (5)
4) Work to make Unemployment Insurance system more competitive (FE) (4)
5) Oppose creation of a universal health care system (HC) (10)
6) Unite tech leadership on core competitiveness issues (FE) (7)
7) Enhance/maintain budget growth limit (FE) (8)
8) Support bio/pharma growth, oppose bad policies (HC) (3)
9) Strengthen UMASS as world-class public system (ED) (13)
10) Support technology for better health care system (HC) (10)
10a. Reform medical malpractice system (HC) (6)

2005 Tax Policy Protection/Enhancement Rankings

1) Long-term Capital Gains Tax
2) State Personal Income Tax
3) Research & Development Tax Credit
4) Investment Tax Credit
5) Manufacturing Job-Creation Tax Incentive
6) Internet Tax
7) Proposition 2 _
8) Single Sales Factor Tax Apportionment

Proposed 2005 Highest Priority Public Policy Objectives

FISCAL/ECONOMIC POLICY

• Work to protect beneficial tax policies or make cost structure more competitive
  • Capital gains tax, personal income tax, R&D Tax Credit, Investment Tax Credit, Manufacturing Job Incentive
• Work to expand/preserve missions of Hanscom AFB and Natick SSC through 2005 Base Closing and Realignment Process (BRAC) - MassDTI
• Continue to development & implement state technology-focused economic development strategy
  • Leadership role in Science & Technology Initiative and investment of state technology funds
• Work to make Unemployment Insurance system more competitive with other states
• Unite executive leadership of the technology community in support of core economic competitiveness issues
• Work to enhance/maintain Council-sponsored 2002 state Budget Growth Limit

HEALTH CARE

• Work to ensure that state and federal initiatives affecting drug development, genetic research & related issues don’t inhibit growth of Mass. biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry
• Support reforms to the state’s costly medical malpractice system
• Support the use of technology to create more cost efficient, accessible, and high quality health care system
• Oppose efforts on Beacon Hill to create a universal health care system

EDUCATION/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

• Work to influence state policy to increase pipeline and quality of technology workers graduating from Mass. public schools
  • Support Mass STEM Collaborative, Howard P. Foley Professorship, Pre-K implementation
  • Support next phase of Education Reform (Teaching Commission Recommendations)
• Work with the Legislature, Administration and business community to strengthen the
  • University of Massachusetts system as a world-class public higher education institution
  • Monitor implementation of John Adams Institute, state matching R&D grants

INFRASTRUCTURE

• Support policies that encourage competition in the state’s restructured energy marketplace and enhance the Council’s Energy Cost Manager program
  • Support innovative renewable energy technologies that benefit ratepayers and create economic opportunities for the region (Renewable Energy Trust Fund)
  • Monitor proposed legislative and regulatory changes to the 1995 Energy Restructuring Act