Tax Policy

State of the Union Address

No Comments
February 12  |  Education, Government Relations, Tax Policy, Transportation  |   Carl Guardino

Silicon Valley hopes to hear these issues addressed in tonight’s State of the Union address:

  1. Immigration reform; passage of a comprehensive plan that includes high skilled workers with  bi-partisan, bicameral support.
  2. Comprehensive tax reform; ensuring U.S.  companies, domestic and international, can successfully compete and create jobs.
  3. Education reform;  so that kids born in America are equipped with the knowledge to compete with kids educated around the world.
  4. Cybersecurity; that addresses the safety of America and the economic strengths of American companies
  5. Infrastructure; investments to rebuild America’s transportation, energy and water systems to keep Americans and America’s economy moving.

These are the pressing issues facing our nation’s innovation economy today that Silicon Valley hopes to hear from President Obama tonight.

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

No Comments
January 2  |  Federal Issues, Government Relations, Tax Policy, Transportation  |   Carl Guardino

Here’s food for thought . . . What have you done for me lately?

At the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, our 375 member company CEO’s deserve a strong return on their investment as we work to strengthen job creation in our region, state and nation.

In 2012, we delivered, with 38 quantifiable goals completed in our business plan. These included the direct flight between San Jose and Tokyo on ANA, $900 million in federal funds for our BART extension, $1 billion to improve and electrify Cal-train and the launch of a regional patent office in silicon valley in 2013.

All good, but now it’s time to focus on 2013, with equally ambitious goals. These include modernizing the California Environmental Quality Act, and resolving long-sought priorities in Washington, D.C., like immigration reform for highly-skilled workers and comprehensive corporate tax reform.

We don’t look back to applaud 2012 successes. Instead, we look forward with the quiet confidence that we have a firm foundation to aim even higher to strengthen our region, state and nation.

For a full list of 2012 accomplishments and 2013 goals, check out our web site at svlg.org. Better yet, join us. There is much to do, and much we can do together.

Presidential Priorities for Silicon Valley

1 Comments
October 22  |  Government Relations, Tax Policy  |   Carl Guardino

Here’s food for thought . . . Silicon Valley CEO’s have helped both presidential candidates, but will both candidates help Silicon Valley?

When it comes to Silicon Valley and America’s innovation economy, let’s not forget the issues we need the next commander in chief to champion from the oval office:

* First, a skilled workforce. Americans deserve a great education system for our kids and a smart immigration system to attract the smartest kids from around the globe. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.

* Second, globally competitive tax policies. Unlike competitor nations, our corporate tax rates actually discourage our global companies from bringing earnings home. Fix it.

* Third, we need a national cyber-security policy that protects our citizens and engages our companies.

* Fourth, America needs a comprehensive energy policy, which includes traditional sources while encouraging renewable sources.

* Fifth, we must invest in roads, water, transit and other forms of infrastructure that re-build our cities, alleviate congestion and keep our valley moving.

* Sixth, health care reform must bend the cost curve for employees and employers, and congress needs to drop the tax penalty they placed on medical device companies whose innovation and research save lives.

Both presidential candidates come often to Silicon Valley, but all too often treat us like an ATM machine to simply take our money. They need to also take our ideas if we are to grow America’s innovation economy.

Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s 35th Anniversary

No Comments
July 11  |  Government Relations, Housing, Tax Policy, Transportation  |   Carl Guardino

Here’s food for thought… Are you making your mark or simply marking time?

Thursday July 18, marks the 35th anniversary of when HP Co-founder David Packard created the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Today, 375 CEOs personally engage to strengthen the economic health and quality of life of our region, state and nation.

Through Packard’s vision, the impacts have been measurable:

* In the 1980s, the Leadership Group co-led Measure A, which built Highway 85 and improved 101 and 237.

* In the 1990s, the Leadership Group led Measures A and B, delivering 19 key road and rail improvements on-time and on-budget.

* In 2000 and 2008, the Leadership Group co-led sales tax measures to fund the capital construction and operations costs to bring BART to Silicon Valley.

* In 2000, the Leadership Group established the Housing Trust Fund, which has already helped 10,000 families secure homes in high-cost Silicon Valley.

* And most recently, the Leadership Group led the effort to secure a Regional Patent Office in Silicon Valley.

Can private citizens truly make a difference? As David Packard proved, we can – and we must – if our Valley will continue to drive the earth’s Innovation Economy.

 

California to Open a Trade and Investment Office in China

No Comments
February 23  |  Government Relations, Tax Policy  |   Carl Guardino

“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”  One of my favorite quotes, and entirely applicable after the great announcement last week that California Governor Jerry Brown is wisely re-opening a new trade and investment office in china.

California – the world’s 9th largest economy – has had no official presence in china, the globe’s second largest economy – since the Davis Administration moth-balled California’s trade and commerce offices in 2003.

The new office will provide California companies – especially small employers who lack the global resources – with business contacts throughout china.

Why is this important?

  • First, it underscores that Governor Brown, and his new Office of Business and Economic Development are leading efforts to help California employers compete globally.
  • Second, it follows in the footsteps of sophisticated actions by other states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, who are wisely helping their companies succeed, oversees.
  • Finally, the Governor’s team shows wisdom to provide a resource in a country that can bewilder small employers, and then “get out of their way” once they have played a strategically helpful role.

California’s economy can only strengthen by this strategic and cost-effective investment in china. Governor Brown, thanks for your leadership.

Helping Our State and Nation Succeed

No Comments
February 2  |  Education, Federal Issues, Government Relations, Tax Policy  |   Carl Guardino

In the span of six days, President Obama and Governor Brown gave their State of the Union and State of the State Addresses.

President Obama said “We must keep the promise of America alive.”  I agree.

Governor Brown proclaimed that “California’s best days are in front of us.”  No argument here.

But how can Silicon Valley help our State and Nation succeed, and what should we expect from the Governor and the President to grow the Innovation Economy?

In California, job one is jobs.  We need an education system that prepares our young people for Innovation Economy jobs. Yes, our unemployment rate hovers around 11 percent, but if you have a college degree in ANY subject, the unemployment rate is 4 percent; with an engineering degree, one percent. A great education for potential workers is key, but a great business climate for those creating jobs is equally key. Regulations that are understandable, streamlined, and cost-effective sends a message that California is open for business. The Governor’s new office of Business Development – Go BIZ – is a welcome step in the right direction.

 In America, it’s global competitiveness. We can never forget that 95 percent of the world’s customers are outside our borders. As we educate our students at home, we must also attract the best students from around the globe. After we educate them here, we need to keep them here, rather than forcing them home to compete against us. The President must also realize that competing in the 95 percent of the world outside the U.S. necessitates people, facilities and equipment in those countries in order to compete. Penalizing companies for competing globally hurts American companies and American workers.

  • Upcoming CEO Show Guests

    • May 14: Tom Quilty, BD Consulting & Investigations, Inc.
    • May 21: Gary Kremen, Sociogramics
    • May 28: Gary Richards, Mercury News Roadshow

  • Twitter Feed