Obama’s Trade Win Brings H-1B Unease

Computer World | Patrick Thibodeau | June 25
http://www.computerworld.com/article/2940552/it-careers/obamas-trade-win-brings-h-1b-unease.html
“There is wariness about President Barack Obama’s push for new trade agreements that’s likely to grow with the Senate’s final approval Wednesday, by a 60-38 vote, of fast-track negotiating authority. With that authority, the president can deliver trade agreements, developed in secret, to Congress to be approved or rejected, but not amended. This increases the administration’s negotiating power with other nations because Congress won’t be able to change the agreement.”

 

Out in Tech: What It’s Like to Be LGBT in an Industry Struggling With Diversity
GeekWire | Molly Brown | June 25
http://www.geekwire.com/2015/out-in-tech-what-its-like-to-be-lgbt-in-an-industry-struggling-with-diversity/
“It was only last year that major companies, including Microsoft, Google, Facebook and Amazon, released numbers addressing male/female ratios and ethnicity — numbers that were predominantly male and white. One of the year’s highest profile lawsuits, the Ellen Pao case, involved sexual discrimination in Silicon Valley (she lost). While there are many talented LGBT people working in tech, there is no industry-wide data, according to LGBT groups who follow the industry. And while many tech companies are inclusive, there are still many hurdles to overcome to support LGBT tech workers.”

 

Washington Falls in Ranking of Best States for Business, But Still Makes Top 10

Puget Sound Business Journal | Rob Smith | June 25

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/06/washington-falls-in-ranking-of-best-states-for.html

“Washington’s best score was in Technology and Innovation, ranking No. 1. The Puget Sound region is experiencing a massive boom as tech companies scramble to locate and grow offices here. That’s driving economic growth, home sales and commercial development.”

 

Where Are The Next Tech-Fueled Real Estate Markets?

Investor’s Business Daily | Marilyn Alva | June 25

http://news.investors.com/business-inside-real-estate/062515-759016-tech-jobs-impact-housing-and-office-markets.htm

“Now they’re rattling other markets — from Seattle to Boston and south to Austin, Texas — as companies stretch beyond tech’s traditional enclaves. Where tech expands, real estate values rise, according to residential and commercial real estate experts who have done studies on the sector’s real estate impact.”

 

Why India is Now Ready for Its Next Tech Revolution

Huffington Post | Vivek Wadhwa | June 25

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vivek-wadhwa/why-india-is-now-ready-for-its-next-tech-revolution_b_7650140.html

“So it is official that India’s Internet boom has started. Within three to four years, almost every adult in India will own a smartphone. Unlike the West, which transitioned from mainframe computers to PCs to tablets and then to smartphones, India is making a leap directly into mobile. It did the same a few years ago when a billion people started using cellphones. But smartphones are going to have an even more profound impact on India.”

 

Drones Set to Deliver a Package in the U.S. for the First Time Next Month, but Amazon Won’t Be Involved

Puget Sound Business Journal | Jacob Demmitt | June 23

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/06/drones-set-to-deliver-a-package-in-the-u-s-for-the.html

“Drones have had the ability to carry packages for years, and tech companies such as Amazon and Google have been advocating to get started with aerial delivery. Amazon is testing its drone program indoors in a facility somewhere in Washington, and has been aggressively lobbying for regulatory approval for larger scale testing. The FAA granted approval in March of some testing, but under tight restrictions.”