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Tech Talkin’ Govs: Part II

January 16, 2014

The second installment of SSTI’s Tech Talkin’ Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and Virginia. The first installment is available here.

Alabama

Gov. Robert Bentley, State of the State Address, Jan. 14, 2014

“We must create greater opportunity for Alabamians to acquire the skills needed for higher-paying jobs. Companies are looking for and jobs are waiting for skilled workers. ...

“... We will present legislation creating a Statewide Workforce Council of business and industry leaders who will advise educators and colleges on the workforce needs on the types of jobs needed in each region.

“We will expand the number of Career Coaches. We will expand Dual Enrollment Programs, so that students may attend high school and a 2-year college at the same time. ... Once implemented, this program will improve high school graduation rates and increase the number of higher-skilled workers.”

Arizona

Gov. Jan Brewer, State of the State Address, Jan. 13, 2014

"This year I am calling on the legislature to approve a package to further boost Arizona's business competitiveness, particularly in technology and manufacturing sectors, which bring high-paying jobs.

"Arizona, for example, is one of the few states that impose a sales tax on manufacturers for the power used to create their products.

"That puts our current manufacturers - and the ones we hope to recruit - at a disadvantage.

"I'm asking you to send me legislation to eliminate this tax and increase Arizona's competitive edge. ...

"... Let's help Arizona develop more pipelines of innovation - connecting quality research, a stellar workforce, and competitive manufacturing from beginning to end."

Georgia

Gov. Nathan Deal, State of State Address, Jan. 15, 2014

“In accordance with our trend of putting our education where our economy is, I am happy to announce the creation of the Governor’s High Demand Career Initiative. We will bring together the heads of Economic Development, the University System of Georgia, our technical colleges and schools, along with key leaders in some of our important private-sector industries. This initiative will allow us to hear directly from the employers of our state about what they expect their future needs will be, and it will give our institutions of education the chance to get ahead of the curve in preparing tomorrow’s workforce.”

Iowa

Gov. Terry Branstad, Condition of the State Address, Jan. 14, 2014

“… This year, I am submitting a budget to once again freeze tuition for Iowa students at Regent institutions. ...

“... One of the positive outgrowths of the historic capital investments made throughout our state is increased demand for jobs. Apprenticeship programs allow us to quickly and effectively train workers to meet this demand.

“The budget I propose to you today triples support for apprenticeship programs. These programs strengthen our middle class, our businesses and our economy. Together we can further build the pipeline of skilled workers. …

“… Today, I propose the Connect Every Iowan Act, with incentives to encourage access, adoption and use of broadband technology by businesses and individuals.

“My plan includes programs that will train workers for 21st century careers in information and communications technology.”

Kansas

Gov. Sam Brownback, State of the State Address, Jan. 15, 2014

“Our Kansas universities are critical. We have been making strategic investments in areas of unique excellence and importance to the Kansas economy – and more are included in my budget proposal. ...

“... In my budget proposal, I will continue to support our universities, community and technical colleges and I am confident they will produce the next generation of Kansas leaders.

Rhode Island

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, State of the State/Budget Address, Jan. 15, 2014

"We have made great strides at upgrading the campuses at our state colleges, and I propose to continue this necessary work. Renovations and new construction for URI's College of Engineering are expensive but I wholeheartedly support placing a $125 million bond issue to the voters for this project. This is an exciting addition to the new Biotech and Life Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Chemistry buildings already completed or under construction at URI.”

South Dakota

Gov. Dennis Daugaard, State of the State Address, Jan. 14, 2014

"Over the past year, I have focused my attention on the need to offer high quality CTE - Career and Technical Education - in our K-12 schools. ...CTE programs are very closely aligned with our state's workforce needs from welding and machining, to healthcare and information technology, to engineering and biosciences. …

“... [T]oday I am announcing that I will use at least $5 million in Future Funds this year to support a series of Governor's Grants for CTE. These grants will help schools join together to strengthen their current CTE offerings. ...

“... [T]oday I am announcing I will be awarding the technical institutes another $1.5 million. That's $500,000 a year for the next three years for scholarships in 20 high-need program areas. These scholarships of up to $5,000 for two-year programs will be awarded to students who agree to stay in South Dakota and work in a high-need field for three years.”

Vermont

Gov. Peter Shumlin, Budget Address, Jan. 15, 2014

“Vermont continues to lead the country in our educational enterprise.  ... We will make even greater progress if you pass the Vermont Strong Scholars proposal I brought you last year, giving a full year of free tuition to those who choose to enter STEM jobs in Vermont after attending one of the Vermont State Colleges or UVM.

“Even in these tough budget times, I propose to continue our investment in higher education by including an additional 2 percent increase beginning in January 2015 for our state colleges and universities, the second consecutive annual increase after five years of level funding. …

“... High tech jobs and high skilled engineering are helping Vermont companies become national and global leaders. … Jobs are the result: one engineering or development job can generate 20 more jobs in production and manufacturing.

“But Vermont must compete to recruit and retain these companies, and the stakes are higher than ever. That is why I have asked my team to work together with you this session on further ways to encourage and grow technology development leading to even more manufacturing and job growth right here in Vermont.”

Virginia

Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Address to the Joint Assembly, Jan. 13, 2014

“This legislature and my predecessor wisely committed the Commonwealth three years ago to a long-term plan to confer 100,000 more college degrees by 2025. These degrees are to be focused on the science, technology, engineering, math and health care fields that are leading the way in the 21st Century economy.

“That goal is a worthy one, and I will push to do even better. Doing so will require a sustained commitment to make sure those degrees and advanced training are affordable and accessible for all Virginians, and are focused in fields that will lead to well paying jobs for our graduates. …

“… Growing our economy means making Virginia a leader in attracting cutting edge technology companies that work in genome sequencing, nanotechnology, data analytics and cyber security. These industries are creating the jobs of the future, and I am committed to seizing every opportunity we can to bring those jobs here.”

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