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Tech Talkin' Govs, Part V

February 09, 2011

The fifth installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Maryland, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. The first four installments are available in the Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26 issues of the Digest.

Maryland
Gov. Martin O'Malley, State of the State Address, Feb. 3, 2011
"To create more jobs, we must leverage the power of our diversity... we must leverage the power of our geography... And we must harness the potential of Maryland's Innovation Economy: bio-tech, green-tech, clean-tech, cyber security, information technology, aerospace, global trade, and next generation manufacturing. ...

"... Through InvestMaryland, you and I have the opportunity to unlock $100 million in venture capital. Why does this matter? Because seed and early stage money have all but dried up in the national recession. Passing this legislation can be the difference between running ahead or running in place. ...

"... I need your support for the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act, not only to create more renewable energy in Maryland, not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Maryland, but to jumpstart the creation of thousands of green manufacturing, assembly and servicing jobs on the shores and waters of Maryland."

Montana
Gov. Brian Schweitzer, State of the State Address, Jan. 26, 2011
"Montana must invest our income today from coal, oil and gas and the energy technologies of the future. ... Montana can lead in breaking our addiction to foreign oil, with our coal and oil and wind and gas and hydroelectricity. Let's build an energy system that's cleaner and greener, that's designed in Montana, by Montana engineers and built by Montana labor. Engineers and skilled labor that are trained at Montana's universities and through our apprenticeship programs.

"My proposed budget provides enough money to cap tuition for every college student in Montana going to a Montana college or university for the next two years.... Our university system is the incubator of innovation. Innovators trained in Montana will create the jobs of tomorrow in Montana."

Oklahoma
Gov. Mary Fallin, State of the State Address, Feb. 7, 2011
"And on the subject of tax credits, I know a lot has been said. Representative Dank and Senator Mazzei are conducting a study to investigate which credits are effective and create jobs, and which do not. I'm looking forward to the results of that study, and our course of action will be simple: only tax credits that create jobs will stay. For instance, my budget begins the process of restoring the Aerospace Engineer Tax Credit, which brings good, high tech jobs to Oklahoma."

Texas
Gov. Rick Perry, State of the State Address, Feb. 8, 2011
"As the nation struggles to recover from the ongoing economic crisis, and states go head-to-head for new jobs, now is not the time for Texas to roll up our tents and go home. Instead, it's time to keep attracting good Texas jobs by funding our premiere economic development tools like the Enterprise Fund, and the Emerging Technology Fund. ...

"... Let's expand our STEM academies, those innovative schools that teach young Texans the science, technology, engineering and math skills they need, to compete for high tech jobs and college scholarships. ...

"... As families continue to struggle with the cost of higher education, I am renewing my call for a four-year tuition freeze, locking in tuition rates at or below the freshman level for four years. ... Today, I'm challenging our institutions of higher education to develop bachelor's degrees that cost no more than $10,000, including textbooks."

Utah
Gov. Gary Herbert, State of the State Address, Jan. 26, 2011
"Last year at the State of the State, I announced the creation of my Education Excellence Commission. ... The vision of this plan is that by the year 2020, 66% of Utahns, ages 20 to 64 will have a postsecondary degree or professional certification. ...

"... This extraordinary goal of 66% by 2020 is indeed ambitious - and it will not be accomplished overnight. But we must be bold and we must begin now. ...

"... That is why this action plan also includes eight specific proposals, the initial steps recommended unanimously by the Commission members, proposals that I ask you to address this session. These initiatives include ensuring reading proficiency by the third grade, and matching classroom instruction to real-world jobs-especially in the areas of science, engineering and math. ...

"... To accelerate this job creation across the state, we must focus on three key areas: First, we must increase access to capital, for our small and start up businesses. We must ensure that the Utah Fund of Funds, created by the Legislature three years ago, is focused on assisting Utah companies."

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