Posted by Brad SmithGeneral Counsel & Executive Vice President, Legal & Corporate Affairs, Microsoft
The national debt is one of the most serious fiscal issues facing the United States today. It threatens to undermine our nation’s economic growth and competitiveness. The challenge is real and immediate, and it is essential that we come together as a nation to address this issue in a bi-partisan manner.
At Microsoft, we’re committed to doing what we can to help foster this important dialogue. That’s why, along with hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of the country’s businesses, we are lending our voice and support to The Campaign to Fix the Debt.
Today, on our Redmond campus, we are hosting Erskine Bowles, the co-founder of the campaign. In addition to helping found and lead this campaign, Erskine was co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (the “Simpson-Bowles Commission”). During his visit, Erskine will participate in a town hall discussion with several hundred employees about the threats posed to our economy by the national debt.
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Posted by Fred HumphriesVice President, U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft
Microsoft welcomes today’s vote in the Senate to approve Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Russia and Moldova. We look forward to President Obama’s signature on this important legislation. The Russian Federation and Moldova are already Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and today’s action ensures that America now will be able to take advantage of the benefits of their joining the WTO, and the enforcement of the rule of law in key areas such as Intellectual Property Rights protection and Services, which are the key to our economy’s future competitiveness.
This has been a lengthy and important negotiation led by many U.S. Trade Representatives and officials across the Executive Branch of Government through many Administrations, including Senators Portman and Senator Johanns, among others.
Posted by John SeethoffVice President and Deputy General Counsel
I want to thank Microsoft’s shareholders who attended or voted at this year’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At yesterday’s annual meeting, nearly 86 percent of outstanding shares were voted. For the first time, shareholders who were unable to attend the meeting in person were able to vote online via a virtual shareholder meeting. Shareholders acted on five items of business, including one shareholder proposal.
Posted by John Seethoff, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel & Bill Koefoed, General Manager of Investor Relations
As a technology leader, Microsoft is committed to supporting and adopting new technology applications that enhance the company’s operations, provide value to its shareholders, and promote forward-thinking corporate governance practices.
This year, in conjunction with our upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in Bellevue, Wash. on Nov. 28, Microsoft will host a Virtual Shareholder Meeting so that shareholders of record can vote and ask questions online during the meeting in real time. We value input from all our shareholders and feel it is important to offer those who cannot attend the annual meeting in person an opportunity to participate.
Posted by Paul MitchellSenior Director, Technology Policy Group, Microsoft
Earlier this year, the Singapore White Spaces Pilot Group (SWSPG) launched a significant pilot of wireless broadband using TV White Spaces (TVWS). As part of the momentum of this pilot, the SWSPG convened a one day workshop in Singapore on Oct. 10 that brought together technology and business leaders from around the world to discuss recent progress deploying wireless broadband solutions using TV White Spaces. While participants came from around the world and from across the public and private sectors, attendance and interest from Singapore and the Asia Pacific region were especially encouraging. I was fortunate enough to attend the event, and was truly impressed with the progress and creativity demonstrated by the pilot participants in developing the potential surrounding TV White Spaces.
It was clear that Singapore in particular understands the importance of and correlation between the digital infrastructure and economic growth, and is determined to fully leverage ICT technologies to turn Singapore into a global leading Smart City and a data hub for the region’s digital economy.