GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Our Agenda Is Your Success.
In keeping with the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s mission – “we help our region’s technology companies succeed” – we propose an advocacy agenda that promotes a competitive business climate for southwestern Pennsylvania’s technology companies and advances technology-based economic development initiatives.
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Building Better Business
To promote a competitive business climate for southwestern Pennsylvania’s technology companies, the Council seeks to:
Reform and Reduce Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax
The Pittsburgh Technology Council serves as a key participant in Compete PA, a statewide coalition of businesses and business associations.
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Increase Pennsylvania’s R&D Tax Credit
The Council will support legislation to increase the pool of R&D tax credits to at least $75 million. The Council will play a leading role in developing the necessary legislation.
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Eliminate the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT)
The Council will support ongoing efforts to fully eliminate the CSFT by 2011.
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Building Technology Development
To advance technology-based economic development initiatives, the Council will:
Restore / Increase Funding to the Ben Franklin Technology Partnership (Innovation Works)
The Council supports an increase in funding for the Ben Franklin Partnership Program to restore recent funding cuts and to account for recent inflation (2001 to present). This increase would equate to $1 million in additional funding for Innovation Works.
Develop Regular Funding Stream to Support the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse / Support Ongoing Funding for Life Sciences-Focused Venture Capital Investments
The Council will play a key role in promoting this legislation. Senator Jake Corman has introduced legislation to provide $3.2 million in annual funding for each regional greenhouse and $6.6 million in annual funding to support life sciences-focused venture capital funds.
Support Provisions of the Energy Independence Initiative that Promote the Development of the Region’s Alternative and Clean Energy Industries
The Council will promote key elements of the Energy Independence Strategy, including provisions to create a $56 million Clean Energy Greenhouse to support early stage clean energy-related businesses, and a $50 million fund to support clean technology venture capital investments. The Council will play a leading role in creating a statewide and regional coalition to support this legislation. Potential partners include regional technology associations, venture capital associations and individual businesses.
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Support the Creation of Matching SBIR Program for Recipients of NIH Funding
The Council will develop and promote legislation to provide matching grants for recipients of Phase I SBIR grants from the National Institutes of Health.
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