State of Georgia Archives: on Technology

Andrew Hunt: Apply lessons of nanotech to colleges; stop importing talent

As founder and former CEO of a leading nanotechnology company I personally know the importance of highly educated work force. As a pioneer in the field of nanotechnology I have proudly represented our state in national and international forums and conferences where leaders from across the world collaborate to find solutions to some of the most complex challenges on the planet. We will establish a strong network of interdisciplinary partnerships between industry and academic leaders within the state of Georgia.

We must implement technology and emphasize math, science and creative thought processing so our high-tech companies never have to import our scientists and engineers from outside of the US, and the top talent coming from our higher education system remains here. Utilizing existing technology, we can improve educational opportunities by accessing knowledge & effective teaching systems that already exist. We have talent here in Georgia; education is the key to unlocking that talent.

Source: 2014 Georgia gubernatorial campaign website, AndrewHunt.us Aug 31, 2014

Brian Kemp: Work around Federal ban on "no drone zones" at prisons

Legislative Summary: SB6: A BILL to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration.

Analysis by BFV Law: Federal law prohibits states from establishing "no drone zones" around prisons and from deploying counter-drone measures. Senate Bill 6 appears to be an attempted work around that could permit law enforcement to monitor and prevent drone operations around prisons. Georgia law already makes it a crime to give anything to persons in custody without the warden's permission. Senate Bill 6 makes it a crime to intentionally use an unmanned aircraft system to violate the anti-contraband law.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House166-4-10, Vote #315 on Mar/28/19; Passed Senate 50-0-4, Vote #323 on Mar/29/19; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Apr/28/19

Source: BFVLaw.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB6 Apr 28, 2019

Brian Kemp: Webpage & app for voter registration & sample ballot

As Georgia's Chief Elections Officer, Secretary Kemp has implemented numerous e-government solutions for voters and established the state as a national model for election security. Because of Kemp's innovative leadership, Georgians can now register to vote online or update their information through the new Online Voter Registration System. In just a few short months, over 30,000 Georgians have already taken advantage of this cutting edge technology.

He also launched a new My Voter Page or "MVP" program that allows Georgians to view their sample ballot, find early voting locations and times, find their Election Day polling place, verify the status of their voter registration, and much more, all on their computers or mobile devices.

Because of Brian Kemp's visionary and conservative leadership, Georgia is the first state in the nation to offer a mobile app that includes the convenience of the MVP program and online voter registration.

Source: 2018 Georgia Governor campaign website KempMeansBusiness.com Mar 15, 2017

Brian Kemp: Hi-speed internet for Great Recession in rural Georgia

While places like Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, and Columbus continue to grow and thrive, it still feels like the Great Recession in parts of Rural Georgia. Businesses are closing. Opportunities are drying up. People are losing faith. As governor, I will work to ensure that someone's potential is not determined by their zip code or county. By working with the House Rural Development Council and their colleagues in the Senate, we can expand access to high-speed internet, quality healthcare, and good education. Through strategic partnerships, we can ensure that every part of our state has access to opportunity - that kids can graduate and raise their families where they were raised, that local companies in Rural Georgia can thrive, that farmers and agribusiness leaders can get their Georgia Grown products to the marketplace, and that every Georgian is equipped with the right tools to succeed. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Georgia legislature Jan 17, 2019

Casey Cagle: Double--if not triple--our investment in transportation

Hill said he would "spend less on low-return activities" and reinvest those public dollars in K-12 education, transportation and public safety. He offered few specifics on potential cuts, though he said "we're going to look at every dollar that's spent and we're going to measure results." As a senator with a MARTA line running through his district, Hill also indicated he would support state funding for transit as part of a broader transportation plan. "What I can tell you is that we're going to deliver results. Transit is going to be a part of that," he said. "We've got to double if not triple our investment in transportation, and that's going to be our goal." Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2018 Georgia governor race Apr 25, 2017

Casey Cagle: Invest in good roads and a deepened harbor

We must provide the basic infrastructure that employers need in order to come to Georgia. This includes a strong education system, good roads, and investing in deepening the Savannah harbor so that large cargo vessels can reach our factories and consumers. We must always remember to keep our economic development policies balanced, so they support every sector of our economy, from family farms in rural Georgia to small businesses across our state and corporate employers in major cities. Source: 2018 Georgia gubernatorial campaign website CaseyCagle.com May 2, 2017

Casey Cagle: 10-year transportation plan for roads & bridges improvements

Casting the I-85 bridge collapse as a "wakeup call," Cagle said he'd order a new 10-year transportation plan that would rank which roads and bridges most need improvements and identify new corridors to build. He expressed support for more reversible lanes, tunnels and even elevated routes. "We have to be willing to go up and go under if that is what is going to be required," said Cagle. "There is nothing that is off the table. It is that important. We cannot afford to be unproductive as a state because we are constantly sitting in congestion."

"First we have to determine where the needs are and what the consumers are willing to pay, and we have to be willing to put the needed resources behind the build-out. State funding is certainly not off the table."

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2018 Georgia governor race Apr 29, 2017

Hunter Hill: Create driverless car corridors & double-deck 285

Q: One thing most metro Atlantans can agree on is that something needs to be done about traffic congestion. How would a Hill administration solve it?

A: We're probably going to have to look at potentially doing everything from double-decking 285 to creating driverless car corridors to allowing trucks--especially the ones that are going to start coming from the ports--to circumnavigate Atlanta. That would mean we would have to extend I-16 west and go north from there, and then tie that new road back into I-75, so that these trucks that are not destined for Atlanta do not come and clog our interstates. So we're going to have to have a robust plan. We're going to have to choose to invest in it, and my vision would be to do just that which would potentially double or triple the state transportation budget at the statewide level to invest in these game-changing projects.

Source: Marietta Daily Journal on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race Apr 28, 2017

Karen Handel: Best for government to get out of the way on infrastructure

The first local issues emerged more than 30 minutes into the debate, when the candidates were asked about transportation. Ossoff said he would be willing to work with Trump to trigger a national renewal of infrastructure. Handel said the federal government worked best on such issues when it gets out of the way. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 2017 Georgia House debate Jun 6, 2017

Kelly Loeffler: We can figure out getting broadband to rural areas

Loeffler was raised on a corn and soybean farm in Illinois and said she knows "firsthand the issues that rural communities are facing." One of those is lack of access to broadband internet. "In this era, with the sophistication of technology that exists and with the United States being the leader in global innovation for technology, we can figure this out," she said. Source: Augusta Chronicle on 2019-20 Georgia 2-year Senate race Dec 23, 2019

Michelle Nunn: Reverse the downward trends in basic R&D funding

Q: How would you help Americans save so they can secure their future and live independently as they age?

A: We need government policies that promote a strong middle class, build self-sufficiency for low-income families, and ensure that every Georgian has a chance to become a productive and engaged citizen. We must invest in our infrastructure, ensure that our educational system at every level is teaching the skills our young people need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy, and reverse the downward trends in basic research and development funding. We also have to create a simpler tax code and roll back unnecessary regulations that impede business development.

Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2014 Georgia Senate race Aug 31, 2014

Nathan Deal: Make GA the Silicon Valley of the South via cyber security

In 2013, the U.S. Army announced that it would build a new cyber command headquarters alongside the National Security Agency facilities at Fort Gordon in Augusta. Less than two months ago, military officials broke ground on those future headquarters that will cost $2 billion.

Fort Gordon is already home to the Cyber Center of Excellence, a training facility for cyberspace operations. And soon, we will begin construction on the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center.

My proposed budget includes $50 million for this state-owned facility, designed to promote modernization in cybersecurity technology for both private and public industries. In conjunction with the Department of Defense and the NSA, this invaluable resource will put Georgia at the pinnacle of efforts to enhance American cybersecurity in the public and private arenas with a resource unlike any other in the country. This will solidify Georgia's reputation as the Silicon Valley of the South.

Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature Jan 11, 2017

Nikema Williams: Work around Federal ban on "no drone zones" at prisons

Legislative Summary: SB6: A BILL to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House166-4-10, Vote #315 on Mar/28/19; Passed Senate 50-0-4, Vote #323 on Mar/29/19; State Sen. Nikema Williams voted YES; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Apr/28/19

Source: BFVLaw.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB6 Mar 29, 2019

Renee Unterman: Work around Federal ban on "no drone zones" at prisons

Legislative Summary: SB6: A BILL to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House166-4-10, Vote #315 on Mar/28/19; Passed Senate 50-0-4, Vote #323 on Mar/29/19; State Sen. Renee Unterman voted YES; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Apr/28/19

Source: BFVLaw.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB6 Mar 29, 2019

Stacey Abrams: We must invest in public infrastructure

Throughout our history, Democrats have believed in equality of economic opportunity. Our state and our economy are strongest when government is a partner in growth, by providing the infrastructure and the framework to guarantee that everyone has a shot at success. To achieve this, we must invest in public infrastructure, pay workers a livable wage, spur job growth with smart policies and demand fair tax policies. Source: 2018 Georgia governor campaign website StaceyAbrams.com May 2, 2017

Stacey Abrams: Creates commission on Transit Governance and Funding

HB 160: Creates the Georgia Commission on Transit Governance and Funding. The purpose of this commission will be to study and assess needs for, potential methods of funding of, and means of providing a system of mass transportation and mass transportation facilities for any one or more metropolitan areas of the state, while including consideration of federal programs. MY VOTE: YES Source: 2018 Georgia governor campaign website StaceyAbrams.com Mar 30, 2017

Tony Evers: Ongoing investment in rural broadband expansion

This pandemic highlighted many challenges maybe none more-so than the critical need for high-speed internet access. That is why I'm proud to announce that we're including $20 million for this fiscal year and $10 million per year moving forward to boost access to rural broadband grants so local leaders can continue a growing and vital partnership with the private sector and quickly improve internet access for the people of rural Georgia. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 14, 2021

Vernon Jones: Work around Federal ban on "no drone zones" at prisons

Legislative Summary:SB6: A BILL to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration.

Analysis by BFV Law:Federal law prohibits states from establishing "no drone zones" around prisons and from deploying counter-drone measures. Senate Bill 6 appears to be an attempted work around that could permit law enforcement to monitor and prevent drone operations around prisons. Georgia law already makes it a crime to give anything to persons in custody without the warden's permission. Senate Bill 6 makes it a crime to intentionally use an unmanned aircraft system to violate the anti-contraband law.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House166-4-10, Vote #315 on Mar/28/19; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES; Passed Senate 50-0-4, Vote #323 on Mar/29/19; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Apr/28/19

Source: BFVLaw.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB6 Mar 28, 2019

Chase Oliver: Let innovators reduce carbon; not federal-chosen technology

Q: You don't support government addressing climate change?

A: Government involvement stifles innovation. We need to let the marketplace innovate. It just requires us to buckle down and American innovation will develop the technologies that will power us into the future not using carbon-based fuels. In the meantime, government doesn't really have a role.

Q: Can you name a market-driven innovation that reduced carbon emissions without a government incentive?

A: It's very hard to get that because of the Big Government world we live in. Every major company is reaching out for every subsidy and giveaway they can. But we need to bring market competition back to it, [not] a scramble for who can get the next federal dollars. Elon Musk would've developed the Tesla [electric car] with or without subsidies. Of course he'll take the free money, but that's your money going into Elon Musk's pocket. We don't need to give money to Green billionaires to develop new technology; they'll do that on their own.

Source: Atlanta Press Club debate: 2022 Georgia Senate race Oct 18, 2022

Burt Jones: Work around Federal ban on "no drone zones" at prisons

Legislative Summary: SB6: A BILL to prohibit the use of unmanned aircraft systems to deliver or attempt to deliver contraband to a place of incarceration.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House166-4-10, Vote #315 on Mar/28/19; Passed Senate 50-0-4, Vote #323 on Mar/29/19; Burt Jones voted YES; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Apr/28/19

Source: BFVLaw.com on Georgia legislative voting record SB6 Mar 29, 2019

Keisha Lance Bottoms: Pause on the construction of new data centers

Q: How do you plan to address the data center issue and the hyperscale power plants that are being planned?

BOTTOMS: I have called for a pause on the construction of new data centers. Georgia is currently number one in the country for data centers. We need to pause. We need experts in this field to sit around the table and tell us and give us guidance as to how Georgia should move forward. My opponent has invested in at least four companies that builds and constructs data centers. Right now. in Buoy, Texas, there is a community asking him to not build a data center and he is moving forward. So if he is an investor in data centers, if he builds data centers, he cannot be trusted on this.

Source: C-SPAN transcript of 2026 Georgia Governor Town Hall debate Oct 6, 2026

Rick Jackson: Community should decide if it wants a data center

Q: How do you plan to address the data center issue?

JACKSON: I wouldn't approve a data center unless three things happen. Number one, the community absolutely approves it. period. Number two, that it has strict EPA standards. and number three, and as important, that each person in the community gets a benefit of a reduction of their power bill and their property taxes. Look, if you don't want a data center, I will stand up and defend it and make sure you don't get it. But if you want a data center that can help you individually and economically, I will be there to negotiate the best deal because this should benefit our citizens and no one else.

BOTTOMS: My opponent has invested in at least four companies that builds and constructs data centers. In Bowie [County], Texas, there is a community asking him to not build a data center and he is moving forward. So if he is an investor in data centers, if he builds data centers, he cannot be trusted on this.

Source: C-SPAN transcript of 2026 Georgia Governor Town Hall debate Oct 6, 2026

Jon Ossoff: No one should pay a dime to subsidize these data centers

Q: Massive new data center projects are receiving a lot of backlash--your opinion?

Mike Collins: I'm very much in favor of local control, local people know what needs to be in their communities and what doesn't. And we need to make sure that their infrastructure is not destroyed, that either that's electric or water.. If you want a data center in your area, when I'm in the U.S. Senator, I'll help you fight to get one. If you don't, I'll help make sure that you don't get that.

Ossoff: No Georgia family or small business should pay a dime more to subsidize the energy consumption of these data centers. No local community should have these data centers imposed on them. Just think about this, when you are paying more for your health insurance, when a hospital in your community is closing down, Mike Collins voted to take that money out of your pocket and out of your community and give it instead to data center developers.

Source: Atlanta News First on 2026 Georgia Senate race Oct 8, 2026

Mike Collins: If you want a data center, I'll help you fight to get one

Q: Massive new data center projects are receiving a lot of backlash--your opinion?

Source: Atlanta News First on 2026 Georgia Senate race Oct 8, 2026

The above quotations are from State of Georgia Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Technology. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
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