In a message dated 9/12/07 1:56:21 A.M. Central Daylight Time, News@JobDestruction.info writes:

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER  No. 1754 -- 9/11/2007 >>>>>

13 state governors signed a petition sponsored by CompeteAmerica to
increase the number of H-1B visas. This petition got bi-partisan report
from both Republicans and Democrats. I believe this petition is timed to
support the lobbying push next week as well as the Washington DC rally by
Immigration Voice (see previous newsletter).

These are the signatories:

Chris Gregoire, D-Washington
Deval Patrick, D-Massachusetts
Jim Doyle, D-Wisconsin
Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-California
Dave Freudenthal, D-Wyoming
Kathleen Sebelius, D-Kansas
Mitch Daniels, R-Indiana
Eliot Spitzer, D-New York
Tim Pawlenty, R-Minnesota
Bill Ritter, D-Colorado
Janet Napolitano, D-Arizona
Jim Gibbons, R-Nevada
Rick Perry, R-Texas

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Governors throw support behind H-1B increase
http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9776360-7.html

September 11, 2007 3:06 PM PDT

Governors throw support behind H-1B increase
Posted by Anne Broache

A congressional push this year for an increase in the H-1B visas coveted by
Silicon Valley companies seemingly evaporated with the death of a
contentious immigration bill. But 13 state governors say the politicians
must revive that effort--and soon, please.

Claiming "a critical shortage of highly skilled professionals in math and
science to fill current needs," the band of chief executives on Tuesday
sent a letter urging U.S. Senate and House of Representatives leaders to
forge ahead with upping the number of the temporary H-1B visas and
permanent-resident green cards. Click here to view a copy (PDF).

See http://www.competeamerica.org/news/alliance_pr/gov_letter_9-11-07.pdf

The signatories represent a number of tech-industry-heavy states, including
Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, Rick Perry of Texas, Deval
Patrick of Massachusetts, Chris Gregoire of Washington and Eliot Spitzer of
New York. The governors said they recognized there may not be time for
comprehensive action on immigration laws during this session of Congress
but said quick movement is needed on the skilled visa issue, as evidenced
by the rapid speed by which this year's quota was met.

The H-1B program, created in 1990, allows foreigners with at least a
bachelor's degree in their area of specialty to be employed in the United
States for up to six years. There's currently an annual cap of 65,000
visas, at least on paper, with up to 20,000 extras available for foreigners
who earn advanced degrees from U.S. universities. (Various exemptions bump
the total allotment to just above 100,000.)

Although the visas are prized by Silicon Valley companies, the idea of
allowing more of them has generated disdain from groups representing
American tech workers. Several congressional proposals propose expanding
the annual cap, but some politicians have voiced concern that the program
is being abused in a way that replaces American workers or depresses their
wages in comparable positions.

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