WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer urged House Democrats to boost spending in science and technology to help the U.S. dig out of the financial recession.
“Without greater government investment in basic research, there’s a danger that important advancement will happen in other countries,” said Mr. Ballmer, speaking to about 200 House Democrats gathered here at the Kingsmill Resort for their annual retreat. “Government needs to take the lead.”
The Microsoft chief, who took over the helm last summer from founder Bill Gates, called for more spending on education and technology infrastructure, even amid what he described as a “once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis.”
“Science and technology has been a driver of economic success,” Mr. Ballmer said. “Government investment in science and engineering as a percentage of gross domestic product is half in this country what it was in 1970.”
Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft has been far from immune to the recession. Last month, the software giant said it would cut 5,000 jobs — about 5 percent of its total workforce — after announcing a 11-percent plunge in quarterly profit, largely due to a slowdown in personal computer sales. The stock is trading at about half of what it was last year.
But Mr. Ballmer used the company’s financial troubles to underscore his point to lawmakers.
“What you may not know is that, at the same time, we’ve decided we’d also create 2,000 to 3,000 new jobs, mostly in the U.S., as we continue to move into new areas that require new investment,” he said. Mr. Ballmer did not make any overtly partisan remarks, but he did praise House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for quickly passing “a strong financial package” last week, drawing applause from the crowd.
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