(July 14, 2008) SAN FRANCISCO — Urging presidential candidates to make technology policy a top priority, SEMI North America voiced their agenda for Washington at the SEMI Press Conference, held July 14 during SEMICON West. The agenda zeroed in on four critical areas: technology, tax, talent, and trade.
Victoria Hadfield, president, SEMI North America, outlined agenda details. “The industry cannot afford to finance R&D alone, which is the way its been.” noted Hadfield, calling for candidates to support a doubling of the current budget. She said SEMI also is stressing the need to bolster the US education system, encouraging Americans to pursue science and math degrees, while at the same time streamlining the path to citizenship for those with advanced degrees to keep talent local.
Panelist member, Bob Aken, chairman and CEO of CYMER, added his two cents, saying that “every Ph.D. in technology should come with a green card clipped to it.” Hans Stork, CTO Silicon Systems Group, Applied Materials, commented that doubling the R&D budget is “a marginally acceptable position that barely keeps up with inflation.”
Other laundry list items include a permanent and strengthened R&D tax credit, accelerated depreciation of equipment, and support for free trade agreements and open markets.