In a message dated 11/21/07 5:30:18 P.M. Central Standard Time, News@JobDestruction.info writes:
<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1788 -- 11/21/2007 >>>>>
We haven't heard much from the Information Technology Association of
America (ITAA). ITAA's president, Harris Miller, resigned in a misguided
effort to run for Senator from Virginia. We enjoyed a calm period after
Miller lost the election to Webb in which the ITAA seemed to fall out of
the limelight.
It now looks like the monster may be arising again. ITAA seems to have
found a big wad of cash, and they are spending some of it to hire a K
Street lobbying firm. PLM will be tasked with lobbying for increasing the
H-1B cap, and you can bet the ITAA will also try to push some of their
other agenda items such as unfettered free trade and open borders.
The lobby firm hired goes by two different names: PLM Group or the
Livingston Group. They are a heavyweight lobby firm staffed by revolving
door DC insiders like John Scofield. I find this development highly
disturbing in view of the fact that we know there will be an
end-of-the-year push for an expansion of H-1B. This band of crooks should
not be underestimated!
You can view their website at:
http://www.livingstongroupdc.com/
The ITAA is listed as one of their clients -- click "select clients". ITAA
is one of their chosen few.
I checked the ITAA website but found no mention of their new lobbying push.
http://www.itaa.org/
***** HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! *****
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/11/19/ap4356074.html?partner=email
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21887804/
Tech Group Taps Lobbyist for Visa Issues
Associated Press 11.19.07, 4:35 PM ET
WASHINGTON -
The Information Technology Association of America, whose more than 300
members include Microsoft Corp., Dell Inc. and Yahoo Inc., hired PLM Group
LLC to lobby the federal government on immigration matters, according to a
disclosure form.
The firm will lobby on issues related to the H-1B visa program, which allow
companies to hire skilled foreign professionals for up to six years,
according to the form posted online Nov. 13 by the Senate's public records
office.
Tech companies argue there aren't enough visas to meet their needs for
certain skilled positions and have long pushed to increase its cap from the
current 65,000 per year - a number that has stayed relatively flat since
1990. Earlier this year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received
150,000 applications for the 2008 H-1B visas in a single day.
Congress also is questioning the use of the visa program by nine
India-based companies, who collectively used nearly 20,000 of the H-1B
visas available last year. Some lawmakers said the program has been subject
to fraud and abuse.
Among those registered to lobby on behalf of ITAA are: Andrew Kauders,
former senior adviser to Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.; Walter Pryor, who
was legislative director for Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.; and John Scofield,
former communications director for the House Appropriations Committee.
PLM Group is a joint venture between two lobbying firms, the Podesta Group
and the Livingston Group.
Lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members
of the executive and legislative branches, under a federal law enacted in
1995. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or
engaging in lobbying.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
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