2009 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Technology

Brad Henry: EDGE Endowment: make OK into Research Capital of the Plains

Only self-imposed limitations on imagination and commitment can hold us back. Thanks to EDGE, our state has a unique tool to nurture research and enterprise that will create good-paying jobs and growth opportunities. But, the endowment remains far below the ultimate goal of $1 billion.

Each year that we fail to act puts us at a greater competitive disadvantage. By dedicating future interest earnings from the Rainy Day Fund as well as a portion of future annual state investment earnings, the cutting-EDGE investment of today will become the cutting-EDGE research and jobs of tomorrow. I urge you to join me in establishing a permanent funding source for this critical endowment.

Bill Richardson: Launched Spaceport America; signed Virgin Galactic as tenant

• We targeted incentives to attract higher paying jobs, as well as clean and renewable energy companies
• We created new industries--like TV and Film production, which have attracted more than $2 billion dollars of investment and created 10 thousand jobs.
• We even went boldly where no state has gone before--launching Spaceport America, signing Virgin Galactic as an anchor tenant, and starting a new commercial space industry in Southern New Mexico that's going to create thousands of new jobs.

We made a great step forward when we initiated the state supercomputing center. Now companies and universities are using the supercomputer to create alternative fuels, develop solar energy projects, and attract millions of dollars in venture capital.

Tim Kaine: Long-term commitment to six year infrastructure plan

Our transportation agencies are reducing their administrative overhead to preserve scarce dollars for maintenance and construction. To balance its budget, VDOT will reduce central office staff and streamline operations around the state. Over the next two years, VDOT will reduce agency employment by about 1,000 employees, through retirements, attrition, and other restructuring.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has rewritten the six year construction plan to reflect the reduced financial projections, and the results are startling. Without a long-term commitment from the legislature to support transportation funding, and with a slump in existing revenue sources, dozens of road and bridge projects have been taken out of the plan.

Janet Napolitano: Invest in infrastructure: highways and school buildings

Last year, I asked you to hold hearings and prepare a statewide transportation plan for referral to the ballot. Sadly, the Legislature failed to do this, and then a citizen's initiative was kept from the ballot. That citizen's initiative proposal made sense, because we will need roads, highways, rail and transit to support our growth.

But infrastructure does not stop with transportation. With my budget, I am giving you a plan for desperately needed school buildings. These new buildings will be energy efficient, they will provide an economic stimulus and they will build a legacy that is able to serve this state for decades.

Bobby Jindal: Criminalize use of internet routers & wi-fi for child porn

David Paterson: Build a 21st century infrastructure, including bridges & MTA

Deval Patrick: Invest in broadband, wind turbines, roads & rails

At the federal level, we are working hard to help shape a federal stimulus package to bridge us to a better economy. If and when that package is passed, we will be ready to get projects underway and put people to work.

That means jobs extending broadband services; jobs installing solar panels, wind turbines, and weather stripping; jobs rebuilding roads, rails and bridges; jobs modernizing our health care records management system and building schools.

Of course, our job in state government demands more than waiting for a federal lifeline. We have launched one billion dollars of capital projects to start over the first 6 months of this year, creating new jobs and making it more attractive for companies and families to put down stakes in Massachusetts.