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Tech Talkin’ Govs, Part II
The second installment of the Tech Talkin’ Govs series includes highlights from state-of-the-state, budget and inaugural addresses from Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Arizona
Gov. Janet Napolitano, State-of-the-State Address, Jan. 14, 2008
“Higher standards for students mean we must sustain a higher-quality corps of math and science teachers by expanding teacher loan forgiveness, scholarships, and incentives. Last year, you took a big step in this direction by providing initial funding for these incentives, and by funding more math and science teachers; I ask you to do the same this year. …
“… The eighth graders of today are the high school class of 2012 – Arizona’s centennial class. I say, let’s make a contract with these Centennial Scholars, and with all the classes that follow. Let’s agree that any eighth grader who pledges to stay out of trouble and maintains at least a “B” average in high school will be guaranteed free tuition at any of our community colleges or state universities. …
“… I propose that, beginning next year, all Arizona universities guarantee that when a student begins college, his or her tuition will not be raised for four years – period. Times change and tuition will rise, but it shouldn’t go up once you’ve started your coursework. …
“… I call on our higher education institutions to work together and double the number of bachelor’s degrees they produce by the year 2020. To do this, our universities have to increase graduation rates, retain more students, create more options for students in rural areas, enroll more first-generation students, and boost the number of students coming from community colleges. This Legislature needs to support them now in these critical tasks.”
Colorado
Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr., State-of-the-State Speech, Jan. 10, 2008
“This year, we will be launching phase two of the New Energy Economy, called ‘Bringing the New Energy Economy Home.’ This will include opportunities for every individual and every business in Colorado to take part. We are developing all of the following.
- A Colorado Carbon Fund, a voluntary carbon offset program that will support new, clean-energy and greenhouse-gas-reduction projects to be built right here in Colorado;
- A ‘Go Solar’ incentive program to put clean solar power within reach for all Coloradans;
- An ‘Insulate Colorado Program’ to make home heating more affordable and efficient.
“… We've created specific strategies to target four of our most-promising economic sectors: aerospace, energy, tourism and the biosciences. 2008 holds just as much promise, and I'm pleased to work with you and the business community on an economic-development package that will … simplify how businesses calculate taxes -- the single-sales factor approach. It will exempt 30,000 companies from the Business Personal Property Tax over time, and it will increase state investments in bioscience and clean energy projects. …
“… [T]oday I'm pleased to announce the three co-chairs of our new Jobs Cabinet. … The Jobs Cabinet will work to align Colorado's economic-development strategies, education programs and regional workforce needs to make sure we are producing the highest-quality, 21st century labor force for Colorado businesses.”
Iowa
Gov. Chet Culver, Condition of the State Speech, Jan. 15, 2008
“… [I]n order to maintain our lead in this new bioeconomy, we must continue to support the Iowa Power Fund. … You know, we've made real progress on renewable energy, and now it's time to build on it.
“As I stated previously, funding the Iowa Power Fund and supporting the new Office of Energy Independence and the Power Fund Board should be our top priorities. … I'd also like to expand the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, to include terminal blending of ethanol and biodiesel. Let's help our farmers, consumers, and ethanol, and biodiesel producers, by developing the infrastructure necessary to increase access and drive greater consumption of Iowa-grown biofuels. …
”... I'm proposing we build a $5 million science, technology, engineering, and math – or STEM – Center at the University of Northern Iowa. This will help us double the number of math and science teachers in our public schools and make sure every high school graduate is ready for the jobs of the future.
”In addition, I am asking you to join me in fully funding our successful community college level workforce training program, known as ACE. And, to meet the needs of the workforce in the future, let's continue to do what we can to make college more affordable. One way to do this is by expanding the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship.”
Louisiana
Gov. Bobby Jindal, Inaugural Address, Jan. 14, 2008
“I will ask our legislature this year to re-orient our workforce training to meet the challenges and skills required by the global economy. And our administration will streamline its demands of job-makers. …
“… That is how we will run our New Louisiana government. Twenty-first century schools and colleges. Curricula linked to our new economy. Quality teachers. Accountability for results. A business climate second to none … that rewards risk-takers … welcomes entrepreneurs.”
Missouri
Gov. Matt Blunt, State-of-the-State Address, Jan. 15, 2008
“Tonight, I recommend increased investment in math and science education. I recommend $750,000 to train nearly 1,000 new Advanced Placement teachers and to help more than 6,000 Missouri students take Advanced Placement tests. I recommend $5 million to create 100 technologically-advanced classrooms and to equip 300 classrooms with advanced math and science curriculum. …
“… To further grow alternative fuel production, I support a B5 standard for biodiesel sold in our state. …
“… This year, I support incentives for the construction of alternative fuel pumps, for the purchase of environmentally-friendly hybrid vehicles, and for the purchase of cleaner burning alternative fuels.”
Nebraska
Gov. Dave Heineman, State-of-the-State Address, Jan. 15, 2008
“Imagine what it would be like for our children if Nebraska could create a large number of jobs that pay twice the current Nebraska county average salary.
“To accomplish that goal requires 21st century leadership that is innovative and creative. That’s why I am proposing that Nebraska take a quantum leap forward with a new tier of performance based incentives that reward the creation of higher paying jobs and I’m asking you to make this a priority in this legislative session. This new program is called the Nebraska Super Advantage. The Nebraska Super Advantage is about the next decade and the next generation of Nebraskans. This bold, new plan is our opportunity to keep our young people right here in Nebraska.”
South Dakota
Gov. Mike Rounds, State-of-the-State Address, Jan. 8, 2008
“To accelerate the development of more biodiesel, I will be submitting a bill to provide a 2-cent tax reduction for biodiesel-blended fuel. …
“… I’m also asking for $2,954,000 for year 3 of the Classroom Connections Program. That’s for classroom laptops for children. That will be 4,600 more laptop computers for high school students and 400 more for their teachers. …
“… With your approval, 14,200 students will have computers next year, and that would raise the percentage to 38 percent of our high school students.”
Vermont
Gov. Jim Douglas, State-of-the-State Address, Jan. 10, 2008
“We must continuously rethink how best to achieve equity in our tax system, because unfair or excessive taxation threatens prosperity and stifles innovation. …
“…We will also lower our top rate – which is the highest in the country – to increase our competitive advantage when recruiting employers to start or expand businesses here. …
“… To position Vermont for the next wave of environmentally friendly industry, we must continuously reassess and revitalize our economic development efforts. My comprehensive job creation strategy is the sum of many parts: creating a wireless telecommunications infrastructure, a focus on science and technology in the classroom and targeted incentives for small businesses – all with convergence toward our green economy. …
“… To further inspire investments in technology, I’m proposing we invest $250,000 in two pilot projects – a partnership with Champlain College and the University of Vermont’s Center for Emerging Technologies – to provide grants to start-up businesses that are developing cutting edge software; and an e-communities grant program to enable more local internet content, discussion forums, wikis and blogs. …
“… For Vermont’s economy to produce quality, high-paying jobs in the future, we must be competitive with countries around the globe. Our ability to compete depends on our education system.
“We must rethink how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are taught in our state. … That is why I have asked the State Board and Department of Education to help schools implement more innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula. …
“To ensure that prosperity grows with each generation we must make a continued investment in our human capital. To empower the next generation of workers I propose we invest $8 million – a 14 percent increase over last year’s appropriation – in college scholarships and workforce training programs. …
“… Now in Vermont, our future is being shaped by innovators producing cutting edge products and ideas … Last year, we kicked off an effort to make Vermont a global center for environmental engineering. This year, I propose we build on that initiative by modifying the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program to make environmental service companies eligible for significantly larger incentives to create jobs here.
“In addition, I ask that the Legislature join me in urging the State retirement boards to designate a percentage of their funds for investment in the creation of green jobs. This could generate up to $10 million in additional capital for investment in entrepreneurship and job creation.”
West Virginia – see article in this issue of the Digest.