Microsoft's new push to lobby for more H-1B visas and Green Cards

Date: Sunday, August 26, 2007 8:48 PM

<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 1744 -- 8/26/2007 >>>>>

Microsoft got their rear-ends kicked the last two years by spending lots of
money to get an H-1B increase while having nothing to show for it. That hasn't
stopped them however -- it just means they will spend more money when Congress
convenes in the fall season. To further that goal Microsoft hired a Washington
DC lobbyist firm called SC Partners LLC. Go to this website to learn more
about them:

http://www.scprtnrs.com/

SC Partners has been active in H-1B before according to their website.
Their efforts failed so it's kind of funny to see these listed on their page
of "success stories:

* A legislative effort to provide for interim relief for employment-based
permanent immigrant visas and H-1B visas in the FY05 Budget Reconciliation
Bill.

* A legislative effort to provide for H-1B visas on the FY05 Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill.

SC Partners is partnership between Charles Shipp and Katie Cullen -- two
veteran lobbyists. Katie Cullen doesn't seem to have had much experience
lobbying for H-1B but Charles Shipp is a different story. Shipp owns another
lobby firm called Charles Shipp & Assoc that has been on the Microsoft payroll
for quite a long time. Opensecrets shows how much money Microsoft has paid
Shipp over the last several years:

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/firmsum.asp?txtname=Charles+Shipp+%26+Assoc&year=2007

Payments to Charles Shipp & Assoc by Microsoft:

2007 $40,000
2006 $60,000
2005 $160,000
2004 $130,000
2003 $125,000
2002 $125,000

If you would like to see the lobbyist registration for SC Partners follow
these steps:

1) Go to this website:

http://sopr.senate.gov/cgi-win/m_opr_viewer.exe?DoFn=0

2) Click "registrant name" and then click the "GO" button

3) Enter "SC Partners" without quotes for registrant name and click the "GO"
button

4) If you get a query refinement, click the link for "SC Partners LLC"

5) Scroll down to item #10 (this could change) and then click the link for
Microsoft.

6) You should see an image file with the names of Shipp and Cullen listed as
lobbyists.

7) Near the top of the page click the link to go to Page 2. On item #12 you
will see the issues they are lobbying for:

Provisions relating to H1B Visas for high-tech workers

Provisions relating to Green Cards for high-tech workers

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/24/ap4052880.html

Associated Press

Microsoft Hires Lobbyist for Visa Issues

Associated Press 08.24.07, 3:51 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Microsoft Corp. hired SC Partners LLC to lobby the federal
government on immigration matters, according to a disclosure form.

The firm will lobby on issues related to temporary visas and green cards for
high-tech foreign workers, according to the form posted online Thursday by the
Senate's public records office.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) is part of a
coalition of tech companies and other groups lobbying the federal government
to raise the number of H-1B visas, which allow companies to hire skilled
foreign professionals for up to six years. The cap is currently set at 65,000.

Tech companies contend they need such workers to stay competitive globally.
Opponents have said raising the visa cap would lower wages and discourage
American youngsters from pursuing tech careers.

Microsoft has previously said that about one-third of its 46,000 U.S.-based
employees have work visas or are legal permanent residents with green cards.

Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose
activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative
branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or
engaging in lobbying.

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