Ernst Young

Our country has now been without a critical incentive for homegrown innovation for nearly four months. That is four months without an incentive for an inventor to take his emerging company to the next level. That is four months that technology firms have looked to other countries as options to invest their research and development dollars. That’s right- the United States has been without a Research and Development Tax Credit for more than a quarter of the year.

There has been lots of talk of the R&D tax credit but nothing has happened. President Obama has twice proposed strengthening and making permanent the research and development tax credit. Congress talks about spurring innovation and creating jobs. We are thrilled to hear all of this but it’s going to take action from both the Administration and Congress to make that happen. Keep reading →

This is the fourth in a series of profiles of innovative leaders in government based on interviews for the book “Paths to Making a Difference: Leading in Government” by Paul R. Lawrence and Mark A. Abramson. The book highlights the management lessons of 24 political executives during their first two years in the Obama administration.

Undertaking innovation in government is a challenge. Government leaders must work with their existing tool kit, primarily grants and contracts, to bring about their desired results. It is rare that Congress gives government new authorities and a new portfolio of tools. (One exception is the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy in the Department of Energy). Keep reading →