2014 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Technology
Tom Corbett:
Sustained, large-scale investment in transportation
For years, this state needed a sustained, large-scale investment in transportation. And somehow it just never got done. We did things a little differently, and we got a different result. Republican and Democrat. Labor and Industry.
We all worked together to put the funding crisis behind us and do what is right for the people of Pennsylvania.The construction season coming up will give us just a glimpse of the benefits. And far into the future,
Pennsylvania will have the good roads, safe bridges, and reliable public transit that our people expect and deserve.
We have accomplished this and more, because, in our debates, we haven't let "NO" be anyone's final answer. We stay at it, until the
work is done. You could call this the practical way of governing. You could call it the bipartisan way. I like to think of it as the Pennsylvania way, defined at its best by honesty, fair dealing, and the shared values of the people we serve.
Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 4, 2014
Pat Quinn:
Largest infrastructure construction program in IL history
Exactly five years ago this day, I was sworn in as Governor, at Illinois' darkest moment. We were facing an unprecedented triple crisis of government corruption, economic collapse, and financial instability. We had one former Governor in jail and
another on the way to jail. Our economy had plunged into the worst recession since the Great Depression, brought to its knees by greedy and corrupt financiers. And our financial house was on fire, set ablaze by decades of mismanagement and an utter lack
of willingness to make the tough calls.
But over the past five years, we've rebuilt one hard step at a time. And we've been getting the job done. Illinois is making a comeback.
When I took the oath of office, state government hadn't properly
invested in our infrastructure in 10 years. Within 10 weeks, we passed the largest construction program in Illinois history. So far, we've built and repaired 7,595 miles of road, 1,311 bridges and 978 schools.
Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Illinois legislature
Jan 29, 2014
Jack Markell:
New I-95 fly-over ramps; $1.1B for infrastructure
Unleashing the potential of our economy also demands world-class infrastructure. The ability to move goods and services efficiently, connect to cutting-edge information technology infrastructure, and access cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy, is
essential to every industry in our state.For years, Delawareans tried to avoid the interchange of I-95 and Route 1. But our investment in new fly-over ramps has alleviated congestion, shortening commutes, shipping times, and trips to the beach.
We are making similar improvements at I-95 and 202. That exit ramp was a notorious choke point, but improvements have cut the average number of hours per day of slowing traffic from six to less than one.
Infrastructure investments create high-paying,
middle-class jobs today and they lay the foundation for future prosperity. It's time to stop complaining about the sorry shape of our Transportation Trust Fund and fix the underlying issues. I propose that we invest $1.1 billion over five years.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature
Jan 23, 2014
Nikki Haley:
Invest in infrastructure, but no gas tax or any other tax
Infrastructure must remain a priority. We know there's more work to be done. You might ask the question, "How do we pay for it?" And my answer will be, "Not by hiking taxes."We proved last year that we can invest in our roads and bridges with the
dollars we already have. Raising the gas tax--forcing our people and our businesses to pay more for the simple act of getting around--is not an option for me.
I will veto any bill that reaches my desk that raises taxes on gasoline.
So instead, this
year, as last, our budget writers should take the additional revenue that inevitably appears after our budget is balanced--what I call "the money tree,"--and invest it in our infrastructure. Since 2005, the "money tree" that falls every year has averaged
more than $106 million. According to the Department of Transportation, those dollars, invested the right way, will be worth more than $1.3 billion in additional road and bridge improvements. That is prioritizing. That is our job.
Source: 2014 South Carolina State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2014
Phil Bryant:
Diabetes Telehealth Initiative for complex coordinated care
I am very pleased to announce a revolutionary health care effort tonight.
Through a partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, , GE Healthcare, North Sunflower Medical Center, and C Spire, we are launching the Mississippi Diabetes Telehealth Initiative.
This groundbreaking pilot program will use telehealth technology to pair resources from the University Medical Center with health care providers and 200 of the most complex diabetes patients in the Mississippi Delta.
This coordinated care approach will improve disease management and health outcomes for generations to come.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature
Jan 22, 2014
Neil Abercrombie:
TMT: build $1.3B Thirty-Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is Hawaii's gift to the world--the best place on the planet to observe the universe. It is without peer. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to advance our knowledge of our universe. Today, we celebrate 50 years of astronomy in Hawaii with
13 observatories from 11 countries and over a billion dollars in infrastructure atop Mauna Kea. One project will solidify Hawaii's position as the world's premier astronomy center--the $1.3 billion Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT).
The TMT will be the catalyst for the development of high tech and high paying jobs. TMT is partnering with the Institute for Astronomy's Akamai Workforce Initiative to train local college students for technical fields. The initiative promotes
STEM initiatives relating to local robotics and science programs. TMT is also investing $1 million every year in education so our keiki can reach for the stars. Our state must support and ensure that this tremendous opportunity comes to fruition.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Hawaii legislature
Jan 21, 2014
Lincoln Chafee:
Sales & use tax on online sellers with no physical presence
I also see an opportunity in the near future to change the tax climate in Rhode Island. I and the Congressional Delegation have lobbied in recent years for passage of the federal Marketplace Fairness Act. This would level the playing field between
bricks-and-mortar and online retailers by allowing each state t o collect sales and use taxes from sellers with no physical presence in the state. After a series of encouraging signs, including 69-27 passage by the US Senate, I now urge the House to take
action on this important legislation. While current Rhode Island law dictates that should Marketplace Fairness Act pass, the state sales tax would be reduced from 7.0% to 6.5%, I believe that there are more effective ways to use the resulting revenues
to increase our relative competitiveness. My proposed budget calls for reducing the corporate tax rate to 6.0% consistent with my goals in previous budgets. I also propose to eliminate the sales tax on electricity and gas for all businesses.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Rhode Island legislature
Jan 15, 2014
Robert Bentley:
$1 billion for ATRIP and RAMP infrastructure improvements
Each of Alabama's 67 counties has been given the opportunity to recruit more jobs, thanks to the largest road and bridge improvement program ever conducted in the state.
When companies look for places to build, expand and hire more people, they look for places that have good infrastructure.
The Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program, ATRIP--along with its companion program, the Rural Assistance Match Program, known as RAMP, are making over $1 billion available to
counties and cities, and allowing much-needed road and bridge projects to move forward. Today more than one thousand road and bridge improvement projects are underway or soon will be because of ATRIP and RAMP.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Alabama legislature
Jan 14, 2014
Terry Branstad:
Connect Every Iowan Act: broadband to under-served areas
In September, I announced our initiative to Connect Every Iowan, with the goal of making Iowa the Most Connected State in the Midwest. I charged the STEM Advisory Council's Broadband Committee with developing recommendations for our consideration. Today,
I propose The Connect Every Iowan Act, with incentives to encourage access, adoption and use of broadband technology by businesses and individuals.My plan includes programs that will train workers for 21st century careers in information and
communications technology. My plan also calls for moving to ICN 2.0, repurposing the Iowa Communications Network so it can partner with the private sector to provide connectivity in underserved areas of our state. Together, we can use broadband
technology to grow the Iowa Dream throughout our state, especially in rural areas. As our connection speeds increase, so does the pace of our economic progress, so does our ability to grow jobs, and so does our ability to turn the Iowa Dream into reality
Source: 2014 Iowa State of the State address
Jan 14, 2014
Jan Brewer:
Boost AZ's business competitiveness in technology sector
I firmly believe in this great state of Arizona, in our ability to address our challenges and to be successful in pursuing tomorrow's potential. What we are doing today will set the tone for Arizona's economy and job creation for years. Our future
quality of life depends on today's decisions. This year I am calling on the Legislature to approve a package to further boost Arizona's business competitiveness, particularly in technology and manufacturing sectors, which bring high--paying jobs.
Arizona, for example, is one of the few states that impose a sales tax on manufacturers for the power used to create their products. That puts our current manufacturers--and ones we hope to recruit--at a disadvantage. I'm asking you to send me
legislation to eliminate this tax and increase Arizona's competitive edge! We recognize that manufacturing is more than just an industry--it is a mighty engine of healthy job creation. Arizona can be even more competitive.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Arizona legislature
Jan 13, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018