Angus King on Technology

	Angus King on Technology Independent Former ME Governor

Internet approaches economists' ideal of a perfect market

I don't know about you, but I feel kind of proud that I was present when a new verb--to google--was invented. Imagine being around when someone came up with "run" or "jump."

And the Web is an amazing resource. It approaches the economists' ideal of a perfect market, where buyers & sellers have almost total access to one another and information is unlimited, available and easily accessible. We are barely beginning to realize the potential this has for fundamental social, cultural, and economic change.

Source: Governor`s Travels, by Gov. Angus King, p. 16 , Aug 16, 2011

High-speed Internet connection for rural parts of Maine

I am announcing tonight that this winter, Maine really goes on-line. To anyone who has waited for an Internet site to open or a file to download, the key is speed and the key to speed is something called bandwidth-the size of the “pipe” that carries the phenomenal resources of the Internet to our homes and businesses. In the age of e-commerce, bandwidth is the essential commodity. Just as the roads and railroads defined economic opportunity a century ago, these wires or the lack of them - will spell the economic difference between businesses, towns, and states in the new century.

And tonight, we’re hitting the bandwidth jackpot. First, Time Warner is extending their cable-based high speed internet service, called Roadrunner to northern Maine, the first time Roadrunner has been deployed outside an urban area anywhere in the country. For the rest of the state, Bell Atlantic will be bringing to Maine their own high speed Internet service over ordinary phone wires-called DSL-within the next month.

Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Me. legislature , Jan 24, 2001

Cooperate with Canada on regional info tech workforce.

King signed the New England Governors' Conference resolution:

WHEREAS, New England and Eastern Canada have among the highest concentration of information technology workers in the nation, with major specializations in high skill, high wage information technology occupations, which are integral for the region’s high tech computer, electronics, e-commerce and communications sectors, as well as other industries such as finance, insurance and manufacturing; and
WHEREAS, the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP) Knowledge Industry Innovators’ Forum recognizes the importance of continuing to build the skills of its workforce in information technology to strengthen its ability to compete and sustain the long-term economic growth of the knowledge economy; and
WHEREAS, the NEG-ECP recognizes the importance of the ability to predict and respond to the changing information technology workforce needs will be critical to maximizing opportunities to develop the region’s knowledge economy in the future;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the NEG-ECP will cooperate in addressing regional information technology workforce needs to enhance and build upon state and provincial initiatives already underway; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference task a group of key knowledge industry stakeholders to work together to identify appropriate actions to:
1. Identify, develop and promote the adoption of appropriate skill standards and assessment tools to ensure the region’s education and training institutions and their graduates are recognized internationally for excellence;
2. Improve regional information technology workforce projections and analysis initiatives in order to better anticipate and adapt to the changing needs of the knowledge economy; and
3. Develop networks and share best practices on a regional basis, and to meet annually to discuss key issues.

Source: NEG/ECP Resolution 26-6: Joint Information Workforce 01-NEGC6 on Aug 28, 2001

Level playing field for Main Street vs. Internet sales tax.

King adopted a letter to Congress from 44 Governors:

The nation’s governors have a strong and unified message to Congress: deal fairly with Main Street retailers, consumers, and local governments. In a letter sent to all members of Congress late Friday, 44 governors said:

If you care about a level playing field for Main Street retail businesses and local control of states, local governments, and schools, extend the moratorium on taxing Internet access ONLY with authorization for the states to streamline and simplify the existing sales tax system. To do otherwise perpetuates a fundamental inequity and ignores a growing problem.

The current moratorium on Internet access taxes, like those consumers pay to Internet service providers, and multiple and discriminatory taxes is scheduled to expire in October. The moratorium does not apply to sales taxes.

Currently, sales and use taxes are owed on all online transactions, but states are prohibited from requiring “remote sellers” to collect and remit those levies. A 1992 US Supreme Court decision said states can only require sellers that have a physical presence in the same state as the consumer to collect so-called use taxes. In instances when a seller does not have a physical presence, consumers are required to calculate and remit the taxes owed to their home states at the end of the year. The problem is most people are unaware that they’re supposed to pay, and states lack an effective enforcement mechanism. Online and catalog sellers, thereby, have a significant price advantage over Main Street businesses that must collect a sales tax on all transactions.

The loophole creates serious budget problems for schools, states, and local governments. A study estimated that states could lose as much as $14 billion by 2004 if they are unable to collect existing taxes on Web-based sales. Nearly half of state revenues come from sales taxes.

Source: NGA Press Release, "Level Playing Field" 01-NGA18 on Aug 20, 2001

Create International Northern and Biotechnology Corridor.