Letter
From: California Governor Pete Wilson.
To: President Bill Clinton.
Date: August 24, 1998.
Re: H1B Visa Legislation.
Source: Office of Governor Pete Wilson. This document was created by TLJ by scanning a fax copy, and converting it to HTML.

GOVERNOR PETE WILSON

August 24, 1998

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to urge you to end your threat to veto the latest Congressional legislation (HR 3736) to increase the cap on the number of highly skilled-foreign workers admitted into the United States under the H-1B temporary visa program.

As you know, the current H-1B visa cap was reached in May, several months before the end of the current fiscal year. The failure on the part of the federal government to increase the current cap to address the high demand for skilled workers has thwarted the growth of the high technology industry, both in California and throughout the nation.

While the results of this work shortage are yet to be realized, clearly it will be particularly detrimental to California and a state economy whose strength and future competitiveness are directly linked to the high technology industry.

As frequent visitors to our state, both you and Vice President Gore are well-versed in the role high-tech has played in California's economic recovery. Indeed, such growth industries as computer software and equipment have enabled California to transform its economy from defense-based applications to more futuristic endeavors. It has meant prosperity for Californians both at home and abroad. Silicon Valley's economic output is the same as the entire nation of Chile. Last year alone, California exported $28.5 billion in computer equipment - the state second largest industrial sector behind electronics and electrical merchandise.

I would prefer as many Americans as possible secure these high-paying jobs. That is why California is embarking upon many education reforms - so our children can enter the workforce ready to assume these positions. While I am confident that the long-term benefits of these education reforms will significantly reduce the need for H-1B visas in the future, it is clear that a temporary increase in the cap is needed to ensure high-tech companies can hire the specialized personnel they need to continue to help fuel California's economic growth. Your veto would undermine all we are doing in California. Moreover, it would jeopardize our economic security for no apparent reason other than that of placating the short-sighted, protectionist demands of organized labor pressure groups.

The compromise reached between House and Senate leaders prior to the August recess provides effective short- and long-term solutions for the U.S. economy. In addition to ensuring this key industry the highly skilled workforce it needs through a temporary increase in the H-1B visa cap until the year 2003, the compromise legislation provides extensive layoff protection for American Workers and recruitment requirements. Moreover, it also importantly provides a long-term solution to the current deficit in the U.S. labor force by complementing on-going state education reform efforts through encouraging more students to enter the high-technology sector via college scholarships in math, computer science and engineering.

Mr. President, both you and the Vice President often speak of building a bridge to the 21^st Century. You've even come to California and participated in a media event in which you and the Vice President helped wire a classroom to the Internet. I hope that in this case your Administration's wires aren't crossed - that you will soon realize that your threatened veto is wrong for California, and wrong for the American economy.

Accordingly, I strongly urge your support for this critical legislation. Continued delay in its enactment will only slow the economic growth and competitiveness of California. Your veto would be interpreted as nothing less than a betrayal of your oft-stated support of our high-tech industry.

Sincerely,

/s/ Pete Wilson