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 delivered by the governors of Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oregon and Vermont. 

Arizona 

Gov. Janet Napolitano, State of the State Address, Jan. 9, 2009

"Arizona must stay on the path toward a greener future..We also must work to limit our greenhouse gas emissions through the Western Climate Initiative, and move forward in building a strong renewable energy sector, particularly with respect to solar energy. The entire nation is going in this direction - and Arizona has much to gain by being a leader."

Colorado 

Gov. Bill Ritter, State of the State Address, Jan. 8, 2009 

"By reviving the Colorado Credit Reserve Program, we can give thousands of small businesses vital access to credit and capital. ..

". By enacting House Bill 1001, the job-creation tax credit I announced last month, we can level the playing field with other states when it comes to attracting new companies and new jobs. ...

". I'm equally excited about . the Renewable Energy Financing Act, which will facilitate financing for residential and business clean-energy projects. "While investments in the New Energy Economy and transportation are essential, the best economic strategy is an education strategy. . So this session we will bring you a statewide concurrent-enrollment plan that will give high school students an opportunity to earn college credits while finishing high school. .

". We are proposing a comprehensive, statewide approach that will guide high school students who are taking college courses. This is an efficient student-centered concept that will give kids a reason to stay in school and accelerate their progress toward degrees and workforce-readiness."

Georgia

Gov. Sonny Perdue, State of the State Address, Jan. 14, 2009

"We are also proposing differentiated pay for math and science teachers. . We must introduce a market dynamic into the salary schedule to address these critical needs areas."

Idaho

Gov. Butch Otter, State of the State/State Budget Message, Jan. 12, 2009

"My plan for growing Idaho's economy and creating good jobs for years to come [Project 60] already is under way - and showing results. . One of its goals is nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurial giants. .

"The initiative is driving our retooled Innovation Council, which is going to take the lead in technology transfer and commercialization. The Innovation Council's marching orders are to provide a practical and business-oriented approach to turning ideas into jobs and economic activity. That means working more closely with the Idaho National Laboratory as it enters its seventh successful decade in Idaho. It means coordinating the efforts of our colleges and universities and other research partners - public and private - to quickly and efficiently determine what works and how it can be applied in the marketplace."

Kansas

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, State of the State Address, Jan. 12, 2009

"I ask the Kansas Legislature to work with me on a green energy proposal which has already been endorsed by two of our major utilities and includes net metering, new building codes, and statutory goals for renewable energy in Kansas. This legislation will send a clear signal to private investors and renewable manufacturers that Kansas is embracing a clean energy future, and will help to spur investment and innovation.

"Finally, I am pleased that Len Rodman, CEO of Black and Veatch, a Kansas company that provides strategic advice throughout the world on green energy initiatives, has agreed to Chair my newly created GreenWorks Advisory Council, to expand our opportunities to add more renewable energy jobs in Kansas."

Mississippi

Gov. Haley Barbour, State of the State Address, Jan. 13, 2009

"Education is the number one economic development and quality of life issue in our state and every state. When I say education, I include not only K-12 but also workforce development at our community colleges, commercially viable research at our universities. .

"We've got to help more of our workers upgrade their skills. We owe it to them, and it is key to our economic growth.

"Now, here's the problem: More than $20 million a year of our job training budget comes from a diversion of one-third of the unemployment insurance tax paid by Mississippi .. But, if the balance in our unemployment insurance trust fund falls below a certain level, we will lose that diversion . I urge you to replace these funds with state funds if it becomes necessary.

"As you prepare the FY 2010 budget I ask you to fund higher education at levels that allow it to play the critical roles it has in generating economic growth. This is essential to job creation, especially during a challenging economy like this recession."

New Hampshire

Gov. Jim Lynch, Inaugural Address, Jan. 8, 2009

" (T)oday I am proposing a new Green Jobs Initiative, funded from part of the proceeds of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Renewable Energy Fund. .

 ". (W)e should provide training so our citizens can learn the new skills needed for this new and growing industry."

Oregon

Gov. Ted Kulongoski, State of the State Address, Jan. 12, 2009

"We're also going to have to innovate, educate, and invest. That means more research and development into energy efficiency and conservation. Creating a larger science infrastructure that will attract and train scientists and engineers."

Vermont

Gov. Jim Douglas, Inaugural Address, Jan. 8, 2009

"(F)ew things are more important to establishing a strong and growing economy than the education and training of our workforce. That's why, despite budget challenges, I propose a 20% increase in early and higher education as a first step to address spending disparities and prepare Vermonters, young and old, for future success. ...

". As part of last year's Economic Growth Initiative, we provided a higher level VEGI incentive to green industries. By expanding this successful program to technology-based employers, such as software developers, we can encourage growth in this fast moving sector of our economy."