Roberta Katz Named TechNet President

The Technology Network, or TechNet, Silicon Valley’s political lobbying arm, has named Roberta Katz, former general counsel for Netscape Communications, to replace outgoing President Reed Hastings.

TechNet pursues a bipartisan, pro-technology industry agenda.

The group and its members gained national attention last year with large campaign donations to a range of candidates and successful support for legislation that limited securities lawsuits against high-tech companies and allowed an increase in the number of visas awarded to foreign high-tech specialists.

In 1999, TechNet will attempt to persuade Congress to pass a permanent research and development tax credit and increase federal support for basic research.