2011 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Technology
Pat Quinn:
Pay backlog of $280M for mass transit
Illinois' backlog of payments to the state's transit systems is now more than $280 million. Millions of people living and working in Illinois rely on our mass transit systems, including 2 million trips per day in Northeastern Illinois alone.
Delayed payments to the Regional Transportation Authority for CTA, for Metra, and for PACE harms the ability of our people to get to work. In addition, the state has been forced to pay more for procurement contracts, simply because we do not pay on time.
Vendors are not bidding competitively--our bids are 6% to 10% higher than they should be--because those contracting with the state expect long delays in payment. This is not insignificant; we pay $700 million to 1$ billion extra per year as a result.
Even with our new revenues, if we do not restructure our debt it will take decades for us to return to the prompt payment cycle of a fiscally responsible government.
Source: Illinois 2011 State of the State Budget Address
Feb 16, 2011
Bev Perdue:
46,000 students in NC Virtual Public High School
We are providing a 21st century education imbedded with technology, more career and academic choices for students of all ages--and have established a new level of accountability for our teachers and administrators. Today, 46,000 high school students
are taking courses from the NC Virtual Public School. Teachers are using handheld computers to determine what a child knows, or needs to know, so the child can get the help needed, before falling behind and being unable to catch up.
Source: North Carolina 2011 State of the State Address
Feb 14, 2011
Mark Dayton:
Investing in transportation infrastructure improves business
Another crucial area of investment is in transportation. Minnesota suffers today from the failed legacy of twenty years of declining investments in our highways, roads, and bridges; in our public transit systems; and in other critical infrastructure.
Our decline has been worse than most other states, which means we are falling further behind in what I consider one of the most important "business climate" measures: the quality and capacity of our transportation systems and other infrastructure.
It doesn't have to be that way. Look at our Metropolitan International Airport, where new investments have been made continuously during those same twenty years. It's not perfect, but it's remarkable.
Virtually an entire new airport has been constructed while continuing to operate the old one. It is rated one of the best-managed airports in the country and even the world.
Source: 2011 Minnesota State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2011
Martin O`Malley:
21st Century cyber-infrastructure & rural broadband network
Together, in so many ways, we are also building a 21st Century cyber-infrastructure. Our Health Information Exchange and first-responder interoperable communications network, will protect public health and public safety. The statewide rural broadband
network we're building will effectively connect every county in Maryland to the information superhighway--thanks to President Obama and our congressional delegation. Through the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit, we're helping create 700 jobs.
By moving forward with the Red Line and the Purple Line, we're striking a more sustainable balance between roads and transit.
To connect the infrastructure of a stronger future, we are working together to grow smarter: protecting more open space, and advancing strategies like Transit Oriented Development.
Source: 2011 Maryland State of the State Address
Feb 3, 2011
Jerry Brown:
CA entrepreneurialism reaps benefit from Pacific Rim trade
When we get our budget in balance, California will be in a strong position to take advantage of its many assets and its strategic location on the Pacific Rim. As the countries of Asia and south of our border continue to thrive and expand their trade, our
state will play a leading role, as it always has, and reap unimagined benefits. We have the inventors, the dreamers, the entrepreneurs, the venture capitalists and a vast array of physical, intellectual and political assets. When I first came to
Sacramento, Apple had not yet invented their personal computer. There was no wind generated electricity, and we didn't have the nation's most advanced appliance efficiency standards. Of course, Yahoo, Google, Facebook and Twitter did not exist--not even
in someone's imagination. California's economy has grown from less than $200 billion dollars when first I came to this rostrum to now over $2 trillion expected this year. California has been on the move--a marvel, even a miracle and some kind of gift.
Source: 2011 California State of the State Address
Jan 31, 2011
Peter Shumlin:
Connect VT: $53M for rural broadband & cell service
Two weeks ago, I launched Connect VT, an ambitious plan to deliver broadband and cell service to every corner of Vermont. To get this essential project done, in addition to using federal funds and private investments, I propose spending $13 million from
our two-year capital budget and fully utilizing the $40 million revenue bond capacity of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. These investments will expedite the build out of fiber optics lines and wireless networks across our state, to every last
mile by 2013, including the most rural areas that for economic reasons are least likely to attract private providers.We will need to address three regulatory areas that have the potential to derail our progress. These are utility pole regulations for
fiber and telecommunication attachments, consolidated land use and environmental permits for the placement of poles, and long-term telecommunication lease agreements to erect infrastructure on state land and buildings.
Source: 2011 Vermont State of the State Address
Jan 25, 2011
Peter Shumlin:
$106M to improve 65 bridges; plus high speed rail
My budget addresses the deteriorating condition of our roads, highways and bridges. We need to bring our transportation network into the 21st century, and to support this effort I am proposing to spend $106 million on improvements to more than 65 bridges
and culverts, and preventive maintenance work on dozens of other structures.Expanding passenger and freight rail in Vermont is also a top priority. My budget invests in rail upgrades to the western corridor, with the goal of returning passenger servic
to Montreal as soon as possible. These investments bode well for Vermont's rail future.
As some states reject federal money for high-speed rail, I am also committed to working in partnership with my colleagues in New England and the Premier of Quebec
with a vision of a high-speed rail line from New York to Montreal, with a spur to Boston. High speed rail is the transportation of our global future, and it is high time that Vermont gets on board.
Source: 2011 Vermont State of the State Address
Jan 25, 2011
Brian Sandoval:
Drive investment in broadband technology
We must continue to drive investment in broadband technology that fast-tracks job growth and provides a platform for spurring innovation across our state. My budget includes $3 million to help residents of rural Nevada use broadband access to start and
grow businesses, or telecommute to anywhere in the world. These improved broadband connections will also allow the electronic exchange of health information between providers and hospitals to improve the quality of care.
Source: 2011 Nevada State of the State Address
Jan 24, 2011
Jay Nixon:
MoBroadbandNow: Bring broadband to every corner of our state
Last year, I said that we needed to bring broadband to every corner of our state. We all know that technology drives today's job market. We live in a high-speed, digital world, where the most tech-savvy, early adapters will succeed. Soon, 88
Missouri counties will be better connected, at faster speeds, to each other and to the world. High-speed broadband will have a dramatic impact on our economy, and on our quality of life.It will connect tens of thousands of homes in rural
Missouri to a network of vital community services like fire and police, schools and hospitals, libraries and government.
The competition for federal funds was steep. But our MoBroadbandNow partnership was a stunning success. More than
$260 million will be coming to Missouri, which in turn will generate tens of millions of dollars in new investment, and create thousands of new jobs.
Source: 2011 Missouri State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2011
Matt Mead:
Additional $52 M in highway funding
I support the additional $52 M in funding for highways and $52 M in funding for local governments (most of which should go to capital construction). That extra money this year will make reasonable progress toward addressing our infrastructure and
local needs. Our interstate highways and railroad network connect us in all directions with other states and others parts of the country and should help make us a business hub. The highways, especially, are important for business, personal, and
tourist travel. I support additional supplemental appropriations this year for highways.
Highway construction needs a reliable source of added funding (on top of those sources that now exist like gas taxes and federal funds). The recommended
$52M in supplemental funding this year makes reasonable progress on highway construction. Those dollars should be used to do what is needed most in 2011.
Source: 2011 Wyoming State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Matt Mead:
Recruit mega data centers: we have the weather & the land
I support funding to recruit mega data centers. In Wyoming, we have what those centers need. We have the natural advantages: - we have a favorable weather climate with a low number of required cooling days;
- we can produce abundant, relatively
inexpensive electricity;
- we have relative safety from natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, and
- we have available land.
We also have an established track record with the NCAR supercomputer being built in Cheyenne. I support the allocation
of $14.5 M in general funds for the recruitment of multiple mega data centers. Such centers bring support businesses and other enterprises along with them. They are a business magnet. I supported the bill passed last year that exempted qualifying
computer equipment from sales and use taxes. I thought last year's bill provided an attractive and appropriate incentive for businesses--and I would call for reasonable additions this year, like for computer software, to improve upon it.
Source: 2011 Wyoming State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Dennis Daugaard:
Secure $29M for deep underground lab
I would like to update you on developments at the Sanford Underground Lab. Biology and geology experiments are already being conducted at the lab and nearly all of our state universities are participating. More experiments are preparing to commence this
year. $29 million in funding is being withheld by the NSF [due to land issues]. I will keep working to secure this funding so the lab can continue to operate while a new agreement is reached, securing the deep underground lab for our state and our nation
Source: 2011 South Dakota State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2011
Dan Malloy:
Develop CT's deepwater ports & Bradley airport
We will put in place an economic development strategy that makes sense for the 21st century economy, aggressively competing for lucrative biotech, nanotech, fuel cell technology and stem cell research jobs. We will aggressively develop our three
deepwater ports to spark commercial activity and decrease our reliance on heavy trucking and the congestion they bring to our highways. We will make Bradley International Airport an independent entity, freeing it to better grow its passenger base.
Source: 2011 Connecticut State of the State Address
Jan 5, 2011
Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018