2013 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Technology


Maggie Hassan: Double funding for Research & Development tax credit

Our economy is changing rapidly with growing sectors like clean energy, biotech, and IT. There are many businesses looking to expand or move to New Hampshire; existing businesses who could use targeted tax credits to develop new products; entrepreneurs who, with just a little guidance, are ready to turn a creative idea into a burgeoning business.

This budget doubles funding for our Research & Development tax credit to help businesses invest in new technologies that can lead to growth & job creation. The Senate has already taken action on this important measure, unanimously passing a bill that will double the R&D tax credit and make it permanent, creating more predictability for businesses. I encourage my friends in the House to do the same and make this measure one of the first bills I sign into law as Governor. This budget also funds business incubators, like the Innovation Research Center and the Green Launching Pad at UNH.

Source: 2013 State of the State N.H. Budget Address Feb 14, 2013

Maggie Hassan: Address "red list" of bridges in critical need of repair

To truly seize the promise that innovation presents, we must come together and take on one of our most difficult long-standing challenges: New Hampshire's deteriorating roads and bridges.

The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our roads a C minus, and the I-93 expansion project remains unfinished. Hundreds of our bridges are on the "red list" of bridges in critical need of repair--risking public safety and our economy.

Maintaining and repairing our state's roads and bridges and funding transportation projects are crucial for our economy. Creating a solid, modern infrastructure will attract new businesses and industries, while helping our existing businesses grow, transport their goods, and create new jobs. But as it stands, we barely have enough to do the very minimum.

I stand ready to bring constructive, long-term ideas to the table so we can build a consensus solution that will help us begin to improve our roads and bridges and finish I-93.

Source: 2013 State of the State N.H. Budget Address Feb 14, 2013

Earl Ray Tomblin: Foster public private partnerships to develop our roads

We also need to find innovative and creative ways to enhance our infrastructure. And while we have a Blue Ribbon Commission examining our road system, one thing I know we must do now is explore and foster public private partnerships to develop our roads.

In 2008, the Public-Private Partnership Act was passed and signed into law. The Act allowed the West Virginia Division of Highways to partner with a private company on the design and construction of otherwise public transportation facilities. This current structure, however, has limited usefulness.

Tonight, I'm proposing legislation to make the Act permanent and streamline the approval requirements to allow the Commissioner of Highways the flexibility to enter into these public-private partnerships. This will allow us to take greater advantage of this innovative tool for the construction of infrastructure.

Source: 2013 State of the State Address to W.V. Legislature Feb 13, 2013

Pat Quinn: Create next-generation jobs with "1871" digital hub

To create 21st century jobs, we're investing in innovation. We helped create 1871, a digital hub that has become home to more than 200 startups. But there's more to be done. Now is the time to take that same innovative, public-private approach to advanced manufacturing.

In the last 3 years, manufacturing has been one of our state's leading growth sectors, creating nearly 40,000 new jobs. We're at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing, and we need to stay there.

That's why we're partnering with the University of Illinois and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications to create an advanced manufacturing hub where companies--big and small--come to learn and use the world's most sophisticated tools and software. The Illinois Manufacturing Lab will make our manufacturers more competitive.

Now, in our Illinois, we leave no worker behind. As we create next-generation jobs, we must ensure that our workers are equipped for them. We're closing this "skills gap."

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature Feb 6, 2013

Paul LePage: New website to see how Maine tax dollars are spent

I am pleased to announce that in the coming days we will launch a new website that will enable Mainers to see how their precious tax dollars are spent.

My administration also launched a "Business Friendly Communities" initiative. The program works with our towns and cities to make them "Open for Business." Eighteen Maine communities are now designated as business-friendly. These reforms are a small step in making Maine a better place to live and raise our families.

Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Maine Legislature Feb 5, 2013

Robert Bentley: $614M for ATRIP: Transportation Rehabilitation & Improvement

Last year, cities and counties across this state were finally able to begin much-needed improvements to their roads and bridges. We launched the largest road and bridge improvement program in Alabama's history. ATRIP--the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program--allows counties to make much-needed repairs to roads and bridges. As of this week, 439 road and bridge projects have been approved. 61 of Alabama's 67 counties are seeing their roads repaired and bridges fixed. $614 million in projects have been approved.

Everyone benefits from ATRIP. When companies build new factories, they look for areas with good roads and bridges. ATRIP is giving them what they need.

Now, for those remaining six counties which have not participated in ATRIP, help is on the way. We will soon announce details that will help those counties to participate in ATRIP. Every single county in Alabama will be given the opportunity to participate.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to Alabama Legislature Feb 5, 2013

Robert Bentley: Paperless agencies: online license & tag verification system

Let me tell you just a few things they've done to save money: By reducing energy costs in all state departments, last year, Alabama taxpayers saved over $4-million dollars. Alabama became the first state to implement an online license and tag verification system. That's expected to save hundreds of thousands of dollars and decrease the number of uninsured motor vehicles on the road. State agencies are switching to paperless methods, saving millions of dollars. Taxpayers saved over $4-million dollars when Alabama became one of the first states to run a successful E-verify System as a governmental agency.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Alabama Legislature Feb 5, 2013

Mary Fallin: Focus on aerospace, energy, agriculture, biosciences, & STEM

I want to focus our state on industries that have the greatest potential for wealth generation and job growth. Data shows that aerospace and defense, energy, agriculture and biosciences, information and financial services, and transportation and distribution offer the greatest potential to raise our income levels and create better jobs.

Department of Commerce has made this plan available at www.okcommerce.gov. It is designed to be a policy guide to answer questions like: which tax credits are most effective at creating jobs? Which industries should we focus our efforts on as we work to modernize, update or reduce regulation? Most importantly, how can we best attract the jobs of the future?

The answer, as our study shows, is by strengthening our workforce. One way to do that is by emphasizing STEM--or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--in all levels of public education. STEM jobs are now growing at a rate that is three times faster than non-STEM jobs.

Source: 2013 State of the State to Oklahoma Legislature Feb 4, 2013

Gary Herbert: Invest in I-15 CORE & Ogden to Provo commuter rail

Lasting job creation and capital investment hinge on the free flow of commerce, another area where Utah excels. There is no better example than the I-15 CORE project, built faster than any other billion-dollar highway project in America, and $260 million under budget. UTA's commuter rail now runs from Ogden to Provo, two years ahead of schedule and 15% under budget. We are building the infrastructure that will enable Utah's future economic success.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Utah Legislature Jan 30, 2013

Gary Herbert: Since 2007, "e-government" has saved Utahns about $46M

As a state, we continue to strive for better management in all we do. it's called good governance. Because of the economic downturn, every family, every community, and every business was forced to do more with less. Utah government is no exception. Utah now offers more than 1,000 services online and, since 2007, "e-government" has saved Utahns about $46 million! In the year 2000, there was one state employee for every 112 Utahns. Today, that ratio is one employee for every 139 Utahns, a 24% improvement.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Utah Legislature Jan 30, 2013

Steve Bullock: Put state government spending online, in searchable database

I've pledged to bring a more effective government to Montana--and we're doing that already, too. This Thursday, for the first time ever, Montana's checkbook will be online. We'll have a searchable database so that any Montanan--or anyone in the world, for that matter--can look at how we are spending the taxpayers' money. It's the right thing to do and it'll lead to a more effective government.

While there are some things I can accomplish without your active engagement and partnership, there are other areas where we need each other if we are going to make progress.

Crafting a budget is one of those areas where we need each other. Montana is the envy of other states: our unemployment is lower and our economy sounder. While nearly every other state's budget is awash in red ink, thanks to good fiscal management, Montana has amassed a half-billion-dollar budget surplus.

Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Montana legislature Jan 30, 2013

Jerry Brown: I signed high speed rail in 1982; finally done in 2013

In the years following World War II, California embarked on a vast program to build highway, bridges and roads. Most were constructed before we knew about climate change and the lethal effects of dirty air. We now expect more.

Last year, you authorized another big project: High Speed Rail. Electrified trains are part of the future. China already has 5000 miles of high speed rail and intends to double that. Spain has 1600 miles and is building more. More than a dozen other countries have their own successful high speed rail systems.

The first phase constructs 30 miles of tunnels and bridges [in the] Tehachapi Mountains . Then we will build another 33 miles of tunnels and bridges before we get the train to its destination at Union Station in the heart of Los Angeles.

It has taken great perseverance to get us this far. I signed the original high speed rail Authority in 1982--over 30 years ago. In 2013, we will finally break ground and start construction.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature Jan 24, 2013

Brian Sandoval: Project Neon: major new highway project

We will also work on Project Neon, a major new highway project that will meet the most critical transportation needs of Southern Nevada. Project Neon is perhaps the largest public works project in Nevada since the construction of Hoover Dam. It will completely modernize the infrastructure of Southern Nevada's transportation grid and ensure that our commute is safer and more efficient for decades to come.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Nevada Legislature Jan 16, 2013

Deval Patrick: Imagine a 21st Century transportation network

We have unmet needs in our transportation system. Let's give our citizens a 21st Century transportation network. Just imagine it.

Imagine if you could depend on a bus or subway that came on time, was safe and comfortable and ran until a student at UMass Boston or a worker in a downtown tower finished up at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Imagine if a young innovator in the Seaport District could get a fast train to an affordable apartment in New Bedford at the end of the day or the family in New Bedford had access to the work and social opportunities in Boston. Imagine if the Green Line ran to Medford and the commuter rail ran to Springfield and the Housatonic line was reopened between Pittsfield & NYC. Imagine if you could drive at highway speeds the whole length of the Pike and let technology collect your tolls. Imagine that the interchanges on 128 in Canton and Woburn were smoothed out and you didn't have to add 45 minutes to your commute at rush hour just to get through the bottlenecks.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to Commonwealth Legislature Jan 16, 2013

Deval Patrick: Our citizens do not want less transportation; they want more

Our citizens do not want less transportation. They want more. They do not want us to spend more on the same old thing or just move money around from one idea to the next. They want us to invest in a disciplined and strategic way in the things that improve the quality of their lives and grow their opportunities. The Department of Transportation showed us what we need to properly operate the system we have and to add additional projects that unlock growth and opportunity in long-neglected parts of our Commonwealth. The transportation plan shows us specific needs we all knew were unmet. And meeting those needs demands new revenue.

Second, in transportation in particular, new funding must be dedicated. We need disciplined, sustained investments in specific service improvements and expansion projects over time, without the risk that funds will be diverted to the next good idea. And we need to be able to show the people of Massachusetts that their money is targeting specific results.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to Commonwealth Legislature Jan 16, 2013

Jay Inslee: Tradable R&D tax credit

We must support innovators in these areas with incentives to take risks and bring ideas from dream to reality. I have proposed a tradable research and development tax credit to help early-stage companies to develop and commercialize their idea. It's worked in other states, and it's something we can do this session. I will work with the Legislature to make it more desirable for small and medium-size businesses to hire more people in Washington. We must also do a better job commercializing the technologies developed in our world-class research institutions, connecting the dots from the classroom to the laboratory to the marketplace. No economic strategy would be complete without a transportation plan that facilitates this growth.
Source: 2013 Wash. State of the State Address Jan 16, 2013

Jay Inslee: Transportation package: creativity as important as concrete

This session I expect to work with stakeholders who have already committed to a bipartisan plan to build an infrastructure for the next generation. In the next 10 years, our population will grow by approximately three-quarters of a million people, but we will not be adding one more square inch of dirt. To honestly address our infrastructure, we have to recognize that creativity is as important as concrete. I want us to turn our innovative spirit toward crafting a transportation package that includes roads, trains, light rail, buses, bike routes and other modes of transportation. We need ways to free capacity for freight and commerce, and rethink how we do the business of transportation in our state and how we use our transportation infrastructure. If we're serious about long-term economic growth, innovation must become part of the culture of Olympia.
Source: 2013 Wash. State of the State Address Jan 16, 2013

Nikki Haley: Address our crumbling infrastructure

We have to address our crumbling infrastructure. Our roads, our bridges--they simply aren't up to standard. More than 1,000 of South Carolina's bridges are either load-restricted or structurally deficient.

First and foremost, it's a public safety issue. The citizens of South Carolina deserve to drive on roads that aren't littered with potholes and on bridges they know won't fall down.

It's a core function of government. But it's also an economic development issue. South Carolina has announced our self as the new superstar of American manufacturing. We build things. We build planes. We build cars. We build tires. We need roads and bridges that match the quality of the companies that manufacture in our great state. And we will get them.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature Jan 16, 2013

Nikki Haley: More cybersecurity against international criminal hacking

Plenty has been said and written about the international criminal hacking that took place at DOR--I'm not here to rehash that or to look backwards, except to say this: when it comes to data security, the state of South Carolina should have done better in the past and will do better in the future.

That does not mean that we will be 100% protected. The toughest lesson I have learned is that in today's world there is no such thing as absolute security. That is true for conventional terrorism and homeland security threats, and it is true for cyberterrorism and cybersecurity threats. It's a hard reality, but reality nonetheless.

What it does mean is that we will do everything we can to make sure that no state in the country has better security measures in place than we do. We are encrypting all personal and sensitive data. We are segmenting our networks to make sure that our most sensitive information is protected separately and securely.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature Jan 16, 2013

Susana Martinez: Protect Spaceport New Mexico from lawsuit abuse

We must protect the public investments we've made, such as Spaceport New Mexico. Taxpayers have already spent more than $209 million on this venture. But now, we risk losing this investment. The states competing with us for Spaceport business have passed a bill protecting companies from lawsuit abuse. Because we didn't pass this, XCOR Aerospace chose to locate in Texas, over New Mexico. Again, it's about competition. Let's protect our investment in Spaceport and pass lawsuit abuse reform this session.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to N.M. Legislature Jan 15, 2013

John Hickenlooper: Bring antiquated budget & personnel systems to 21st century

Bring antiquated budget & personnel systems to 21st century [We changed how] CDOT budgets for multi-year transportation projects. This is a better approach to budgeting that comes with an annual bump of $300 million for five years. This program provides a critical boost to the construction industry by directly Bring antiquated budget & personnel systems to 21st century 25-year-old system, which means unemployed Coloradans will get their benefits faster and more quickly return to work.

Two years ago, Colorado was caught in a bygone era with rules and procedures that made more sense back when we used electric

Source: 2013 Colorado State of the State address Jan 10, 2013

Andrew Cuomo: Push tech-transfer from academia to commercialization

The economic challenge that continues is tech-transfer from academia to commercialization. New York universities are ranked second nationally in total research dollars spent. California is first, but New York only gets 4% of the nation's venture capital while California gets 47%. We're doing the research, we've developed the ideas, we have the academic institutions; we're not making the transference to commercialization. That gap is what we have to fix and that's what we have to fill. To help do that, we propose creating new innovation hotspots. An innovation hotspot is a high-tech incubator between the higher-ed and the private sector for startup companies. An innovation hotspot will be a tax-free zone. No business, real property, or sales tax. If a business stays an incubated business; is located in that zone, they will pay no tax. That zone will provide one-stop funding and services--legal services, accounting services, all the services they need to grow their business.
Source: 2013 State of the State Speech to NY Legislature Jan 9, 2013

Andrew Cuomo: Crack down on texting while driving

Texting or using a handheld electronic device while driving is dangerous and has led to fatal accidents in New York State, often involving young people. To crack down on distracted driving and make New York's roadways safer for all, the Governor and Legislature put in place tough new penalties for drivers who use electronic devices while behind the wheel. The law has been an overwhelming success, increasing four-fold the number of tickets given for texting-while-driving violations in the one year since the new measures took effect; bringing the number from more than 4,500 to nearly 21,000 violations per year.
Source: NY Rising 2013 State of the State booklet Jan 9, 2013

Bob McDonnell: $14B on 900 transportation projects, including more Amtrak

$14B on 900 transportation projects, including more Amtrak We put the most new funding into transportation since 1986, while maintaining our 5% debt limit. The 2011 transportation legislation jumpstarted over 900 projects. A record $14 billion in projects are now in procurement or under construction, including
Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

Dan Malloy: Innovation Ecosystem: connect investors for high-skill jobs

Innovation Ecosystem: connect investors for high-skill jobs Just a few months ago, I announced the third plank of our economic development strategy--the Innovation Ecosystem. The program has one goal--connecting people that have good ideas with capital investors. Innovation Ecosystem: connect investors for high-skill jobs The key is making government an active partner rather than a bystander who watches markets develop elsewhere.

Source: 2013 Connecticut State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

Dennis Daugaard: E-Government: government online, not standing in line

The "Better Government" initiative [includes] the implementation of e-Government. You may have heard me say this in the past, but it bears repeating. In our digital age, state government's motto should be "online, not standing in line."

For example, the Department of Revenue has installed self-service terminals throughout the state to make it easier for citizens to renew their vehicle license tags. The Bureau of Human Resources has moved to an entirely electronic system for announcing job openings and accepting applications.

In the past year, the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications has worked with agencies to complete 22 different e-Government projects, and have another 40 more in process. These efforts will make government more efficient and more accessible to our citizens. That is what good stewardship is about. We run state government efficiently to benefit the people we serve.

Source: South Dakota 2013 State of the State Address Jan 8, 2013

Jack Dalrymple: Invest reserve fund in one-time highway infrastructure

A challenge created by rapid growth is the maintenance and improvement of our roads and highways. These one-time infrastructure investments are the best use of our reserve funds because they will pay back to all of us for decades to come. Being able to move our products, people and services from place to place is at the very core of a thriving economy. But it's not just about industry and commercial development. Providing a safe and convenient road system to every corner of the state is a basic necessity for people living in a rural state.

We increased the Department of Transportation budget by more than $500 million in the current biennium for critical road and highway improvements. For the 2013-2015 biennium we need another increase of more than $1 billion. This funding increase would bring the Department of Transportation's total budget to $2.7 billion. The level of activity in our state demands that we keep up with these long-term investments.

Source: North Dakota 2013 State of the State Address Jan 8, 2013

  • The above quotations are from 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Technology.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Andrew Cuomo on Technology.
  • Click here for more quotes by Chris Christie on Technology.
Candidates and political leaders on Technology:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018