Tech Talkin' Govs, Part III

The third installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs' series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The first and second installments are available in the Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 editions of the Digest.

Colorado
Gov. John Hickenlooper, State of the State Address, Jan. 12, 2011
"We also hope that every bill you consider passing will be viewed through the lens of its impact on our economic growth. ...

"... For example, we know there are several bills you are considering that will establish a venture capital fund for small businesses. We will work with you on these proposals and create strong public-private partnerships.

Georgia
Gov. Nathan Deal, State of the State Address, Jan. 12, 2011
"... Let me highlight some of the projects I propose for bond funding... $15 million for funding for STEM charter schools that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, areas that are vital to our competiveness in the global economy."

Nebraska — See related story in this week's Digest
Gov. Dave Heineman, State of the State Address, Jan. 13, 2011

South Dakota
Gov. Dennis Daugaard, State of the State Address, Jan. 11, 2011
"I propose to elevate the Governor's Office of Economic Development to cabinet level, reporting directly to me as Governor. I plan to be personally involved, every day, in our state's economic development efforts. ...

"... We should foster innovation and entrepreneurship, because some of our best businesses — the ones who are most likely to expand here and stay here — are the businesses that are started in South Dakota by South Dakotans. That's why we need to keep expanding research efforts at the universities, and strengthen our efforts to bring researchers together with entrepreneurs so that new knowledge can lead to new businesses. ...

"... We also must do a better job in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. South Dakota does relatively well in these fields when compared to other states, but our children are not competing against Iowa and Minnesota. They are competing against India and China. Over the next year, I will begin to work toward new approaches to strengthen education in these important areas."