Route 128 and other high-tech corridors across the state provide tremendous opportunities for our citizens. To those who argue that "less government" is all we need to help our economy grow, I would argue that although we should reduce taxes and regulation when it makes sense to do so, in today's global, high-tech economy we need a much more sophisticated economic strategy. For example, I believe that our country needs a renewed commitment to investment in basic research and the hard sciences, such as physics and chemistry. Federal spending in these areas has declined by more than one-third since 1970, as a share of total outlays. I am working to reverse this trend because tomorrow's high-tech innovations - and the economic gains from them - will derive directly from today's investments in these areas.

I also recognize there are some individuals and businesses who have not become a part of the "new economy." Therefore, in addition to focusing my work here in Washington on ways to help the high tech industry prosper and grow, I support legislation that will provide assistance for small businesses who need resources and information to compete effectively. I also support legislation that directs resources at improving K_12 education so that our young people will be prepared to enter the high tech workforce and so that we can remain a leader in this industry for years to come.