(WASHINGTON, Dow Jones, Microsoft Corp., MSTF) praised behind the U.S. Senate for voting to move the economic recovery package forward, but urged lawmakers to maintain funds dedicated to worker training and skills development. The Senate bill now goes into a conference committee for final negotiations to reconcile it with the version of the bill passed by the House of Representatives.

"This critically needed funding will help unemployed citizens find jobs and empower current workers to enhance their skills," Fred Humphries, Microsoft's managing director of government affairs, said in a prepared statement. Humphries said while the technology sector can contribute to job creation and economic stability, "many Americans lack the skills to qualify for even entry- level information economy jobs."

Microsoft statement follows announced plans by Intel Corp. (INTC) to spend $7 billion over the next two years to upgrade manufacturing technology at its U.S. factories, along with the ongoing congressional debate on the economic stimulus package that includes money for projects favored by high-tech executives, including expanding Internet access to rural areas, improving the nation's power grid and improving the efficiency of healthcare through the use of technology. Humphries specifically targeted health care in his statement, urging Congress to increase funding for information technology research.

"We continue to believe that additional funding tied to measurable outcomes is needed to help the administration and Congress achieve the goals of lowering healthcare costs for employers and workers and improving the quality of care," Humphries said.

By Darrell A. Hughes, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-6684; darrell.hughes@ dowjones.com

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