Tech Council of Maryland Releases 2008 Policy Platform for Technology and Biotechnology

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(Business Wire)--The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) released its 2008 Policy
Platform. The Platform outlines TCM's policy priorities for 2008 in
the following areas: (1) advanced technology; (2) biotechnology; (3)
higher education; (4) transportation; (5) tax climate; and (6)
workforce development. The Platform lists specific priorities that TCM
wants to accomplish during the 2008 legislative session and beyond.
This year, the Platform lists its top priorities, most notably the
repeal of the 6% sales and use tax on computer services in Maryland.

"TCM's 2008 Policy Platform focuses on a number of areas, but our
members have been particularly outspoken against the recently
instituted sales tax on computer services," said Julie Coons, Chief
Executive Officer of TCM. "The complete repeal of the computer
services sales tax is TCM's top priority," said Coons.

During the 2007 special session, the Maryland General Assembly
passed SB 2 - Tax Reform Act of 2007. This bill imposes the 6% sales
tax to computer services including computer facilities management and
operation, custom computer programming, computer system planning and
design that integrate computer hardware, software and communication
technologies, computer disaster recovery and data processing, storage
and recovery as well as hardware or software installation or
maintenance and repair. The sales tax on computer services takes
effect July 1, 2008 and sunsets June 30, 2013.

TCM's advocacy efforts during the 2008 regular session of the
Maryland General Assembly are focused on repealing the computer
services tax. This includes the formation of a coalition with business
partners including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, local tech
councils, local chambers, business advocacy groups and impacted
Maryland companies. The Fight the Tech Tax Coalition will work
together to make sure that the business community's voice is heard in
Annapolis during the 2008 session and that a repeal of the computer
services tax is a priority for the technology sector.

Other selected priorities in the Platform include $6 million in
funding for the Biotechnology Investment Incentive Act and fully
funding the Governor's budget requests for the Maryland Department of
Business and Economic Development and the Maryland Technology
Development Corporation. Additionally, TCM urges careful consideration
before offering tax proposals that may adversely impact Maryland's
business climate, support for workforce development and higher
education initiatives and the continued efforts to find stable,
long-term funding solutions for the Transportation Trust Fund.

"Tech Council of Maryland staff and volunteer leaders look forward
to working with the Governor, legislators and policymakers on
enhancing Maryland technology and biotechnology economy," said Coons.

To download the 2008 Policy Platform, please click here or go to
http://www.techcouncilmd.com/Tech%20Council%20of%20MD%202008%20Policy
%20Platform.pdf. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be
copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the
extra space if one exists.)

The Tech Council of Maryland is Maryland's largest technology
trade association which brings its 500 plus members access to
technology industry leaders in Maryland, DC and Virginia. TCM has two
divisions which provide valuable resources and benefits to help
businesses succeed. The Tech Alliance serves the advanced technology
community and MdBio serves the Maryland biotechnology community. TCM
helps the region's technology organizations grow through its
membership and activities such as networking events, cost saving
programs and advocacy initiatives. TCM is the preeminent technology
professional association. Our mission is to promote the technology
industry and to create an environment where technology companies can
collaborate, grow and succeed.

The Tech Council of Maryland is supported in part by a grant from
the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

Tech Council of Maryland
Julie Coons
Chief Executive Officer
240-243-4080
jcoons@techcouncilmd.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008