Tech Talkin' Govs, Part I

SSTI annually scans the inaugural, budget and state of the state addresses given by the nation's governors to see how TBED priorities fare as the state leaders present their legislative priorities for the year. If the addresses are right, more than a handful of states will be "the" leader for alternative or renewable energy within a variety of time spans. Highlights of speeches available at press time include:



Arizona

Gov. Janet Napolitano, State of the State Address, Jan. 8, 2007

"I want to focus on where we go from here, where we will take Arizona in the 21st century. There are three components to this One Arizona Plan – the keys to making our state stronger than it has ever been:

The first key is Education … to guarantee that every young person who graduates from Arizona’s schools is truly prepared for a world of competition and innovation...The third key is Innovation.



"From our educators, we need a new emphasis throughout our school system that encourages curiosity, discovery and invention. We want technology embedded in our schools – to enhance the learning process and to improve students’ understanding of it. We need specialized environments for students who are especially gifted or just especially interested in particular areas of study – like advanced math, bioscience, information technology, civics and language. We also need specialized environments for students who need additional help or who do not do well in a standard classroom. And we must support out-of-school time, hands-on activities – such as science fairs and robotics clubs – so that students can apply their learning in experiential ways. ...



"... My budget also will include additional funding for the biomedical campus in Phoenix. This funding will put us in a position to generate new doctors more quickly and tie the medical school in with key biomedical research and education initiatives. ...



"... The cornerstone of (my plan entitled) Innovation Arizona is a Global Competitiveness Innovation Initiative that will focus on expanding access to high-tech, high-wage success. First, we need a different economic and job creation strategy – making sure 'different' means 'better' and 'globally competitive.' The essential factors must be integration, coordination, flexibility and strategic focus. We must modernize the Department of Commerce and develop a coherent investment strategy. The result should be an Arizona that attracts and creates jobs in innovative, high-growth industries, expands global investment and trade, and supports strategic research and development.



"Second, we will begin to restore Arizona’s innovation investment fund. The Commerce and Economic Development Commission has a strategic investment fund that has been used to pay for the agency’s operations rather than to jumpstart businesses across our state. ... (T)he right investment at the right time can make all the difference and can literally be the difference between the creation of the next Microsoft and an inventor whose product never leaves the drawing board in his garage. That’s why it’s time for us to put the CEDC investment fund back in business. Let’s make sure every Arizona inventor or small business has access to the capital needed to make sure the birthplace of the next Microsoft is right here at home.



"Third, we will launch a global effort to bring new high-wage jobs to Arizona by attracting non-U.S. based companies to locate or expand their operations here. ...it’s time to wake up to an Arizona that’s leading the nation in innovation. We’ll send this message by developing a global brand for our state. We’re going to take it on the road – and to the air – to bring business and foreign investment home. Call it in-sourcing.



"Finally, Innovation Arizona is going to continue to build on the work we’ve begun to transform Arizona into a center of research by continuing the necessary funding to foster Science Foundation AZ to success."



California – see article in this issue of the Digest.



Hawaii – see article in this issue of the Digest.



Maine

Gov. John Baldacci, Inaugural Address, Jan. 4, 2007

"Our people can compete anywhere in the world, but we need to build our capacity and our competitive edge in the global marketplace.



"We will do this by committing to investments in innovation and research and development that fuel private sector jobs and economic growth.



"We will expand Pine Tree Zones enabling companies in Maine to have a level playing field and attract new business to this state.



"We will do this by making commitments in education through 50% tuition reimbursement at community college rates for those students who couldn’t afford to otherwise and who attend a state college or university. We will open the doors to higher education wider than ever before, so students are ready to learn and ready to succeed here in Maine."



New Hampshire

Gov. John Lynch, Inaugural Address, Jan. 4, 2007

"Innovation spurs economic growth, and creates opportunities for all of our people. Creating a research-and-development tax credit will nurture creativity and attract emerging industries to New Hampshire. It is a small investment that will pay big dividends for our workers and for our families."



New Jersey – see related article in this issue of the Digest.

Gov. John Corzine, State of the State Address, Jan. 9, 2007

"We are poised to build the world-class New Jersey Stem Cell Research Institute as well as biomedical research labs across our state. Those investments will cement our position as the medical research capital of America and, in time, improve the lives of all humanity. And let me add, we should build on these historic plans by asking the public in 2007 to approve stem cell research grants."



New York

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, State of the State Address, Jan. 3, 2007

"We must first adapt to the Innovation Economy. This is the knowledge-based economy of new businesses and new ideas that has become the driving force of job creation in the world today.... The third part of our plan is to provide the infusion of capital necessary to catalyze our Innovation Economy. We will propose a Stem Cell and Innovation Fund – led by Lieutenant Governor David Paterson – to be presented to the voters for approval. The fund will provide long-term investment, overseen by independent industry experts, for stem cell innovations and other types of applied research that will lead to direct commercial application. This investment will repay itself many times over in increased jobs, economic activity and improved health.



"To close the (digital) divide, we must implement a Universal Broadband Initiative to ensure that every New Yorker has access to affordable, high-speed broadband."



South Carolina – see article in this issue of the Digest.



South Dakota

Gov. Mike Rounds, State of the State Address, Jan. 9, 2007

"The second major concept of the 2010 Education Initiative is called Finishing Strong. It provides opportunities that prepare all students for postsecondary education and success in today's highly competitive global economy. Fishing Strong includes the laptop initiative, which provides incentive money for school districts to initiate one-to-one laptop programs for high school students. I believe we should begin this pilot project this year."



Vermont – see article in this issue of the Digest.



Wyoming

Gov. Dave Fruedenthal, Inaugural Address, Jan. 2, 2007

"... But the increasing public and scientific interest in reducing the environmental impacts of energy production means we must work with industry to advance cleaner and more efficient technologies to develop our energy reserves and expand the role of renewable energy, such as wind generation, in Wyoming’s future. ...



"... Set some revenue aside, invest in the infrastructure to support our current growth and encourage diversification, build the communities and intellectual capital necessary to attract the entrepreneurs and companies of the next economy. ..."