2017 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Technology
John Bel Edwards:
Gas tax to pay for transportation and coastal infrastructure
Louisiana is ranked last in the nation for state investment in transportation. One of the problems is that the value of our gas tax has plummeted over the years. There has not been an increase in state fuel tax revenue since 1989, resulting in a
56 percent reduction in buying power from inflation alone. We've got to restore the value of our gas tax if we expect to make any headway on improving our infrastructure. Otherwise, we'll continue to lag behind and our roads and bridges will be
clogged with traffic congestion.I urge you to take a serious look at what we can do to better invest in our state's roads, bridges and ports going forward.
One of the easiest decisions you can make this session is passing the 2017 Coastal Master
Plan and the Coastal Annual Plan. We are in a race against time to save our coast, and the difference between success and failure lies in the quickness of our response and the boldness of our actions.
Source: 2017 Louisiana State of the State address
Apr 10, 2017
Roy Cooper:
Rural high-speed broadband access, and technical training
There are strategic steps we can take to make our state more competitive--funding to prepare mega-sites to attract large-scale, advanced manufacturing.- Workforce technical training that is more nimble & customized to what companies say they need.
- Encouraging more people to get into high-paying trades, like plumbing and electrical work, or medical research and high tech engineering.
- Incentives to bring the film industry back to NC. Initiatives to harness the innovation and entrepreneurship
happening right now at our world-class universities and in our cities.
- Encouraging renewable energy which is already bringing good jobs to our state.
- Providing help for small business. And a focus on rural broadband access, which is a must for
economic success in our rural communities. We cannot leave them behind.
- We must do more to help rural small businesses and family farms grow. High-speed broadband access is key to their success, in fact, a necessity, in a global marketplace.
Source: 2017 North Carolina State of the State address
Mar 13, 2017
Chris Sununu:
Double infrastructure grants to towns for roads and bridges
Any surplus will be placed in a newly created Infrastructure Revitalization Fund. We have the opportunity to support their critical infrastructure needs. For years we have heard how the state cannot control local property taxes, but what we can do is
use infrastructure grants to give our towns more financial flexibility and target key areas of need to our communities.Specifically, we're going to double grants to towns for roads and bridges--a chronic deferred maintenance issue at the local level.
Source: 2017 New Hampshire State of the State address
Feb 9, 2017
Doug Burgum:
Main Street Initiative: use existing infrastructure fully
Burgum advocated for a shift away from the state's property tax buydown program and for long-term property tax reform by reducing the cost of local government. His Main Street Initiative will focus on utilizing existing infrastructure to its fullest
potential to reduce costs and create vibrant, healthy cities, he said. As part of that effort, Burgum said he will partner with mayors to ensure they have the tools, programs and empowerment they need for smart, healthy growth.
Source: Press release on 2017 North Dakota State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2017
Jim Justice:
Bid all road jobs, with 5% construction severance
I want to bid every one of these road jobs, specifically [those that are] labor intensive. And you know what I want to do from that? I want it to be our training ground. I want it to be our apprenticeship program.
I want it to be something that will absolutely put our displaced miners that find a job here, or our young people that learn how to do something here. That's an opportunity.Now, let me tell you what else I want to do. For all the successful bidders,
I want to charge them a 5 percent construction severance, whatever tax that may be, whatever you want to call it, to the successful bidder only. And my bet is, people, like me in business, will sharpen your pencils like crazy and it won't cost us
5 percent. It may cost us one. And then you know what I want to do? I want to pool that money. That money right there is $2.4 billion. If I could let every job tomorrow, it would amount to $120 million of a 5 percent pool that I would have.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Larry Hogan:
Fix all 69 structurally deficient bridges that we inherited
Two years ago, Maryland had crumbling roads and bridges and some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. Now, thanks to our unprecedented investments, we are finally moving forward on the top priority transportation projects in every
single jurisdiction all across the state. We are fixing all 69 structurally deficient bridges that we inherited.We currently have 1,073 transportation projects under construction all across the state. It is historic and unprecedented.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Maryland Legislature
Feb 1, 2017
Greg Abbott:
Innovation renaissance: biotech, wearable tech, clean tech
We all know that Texas leads the nation in areas like oil and gas. Importantly though, Texas is in the middle of an innovation renaissance that weans our economy off of energy.Biotech. Defense tech. Wearable tech. Clean tech. Technologies developed
in Texas are changing the world in which we live. The Dallas, Houston and Austin areas are now known as three of the world's premiere "knowledge capitals." And get this: Midland beats the San Francisco area in the percentage of jobs created by startups.
And, we continue to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.
For example, Texas now has more public high schools ranked in the top 100 than any other state. We have the fourth highest high school graduation rate in America.
We are second among Hispanic and African-American students, and first among economically disadvantaged students. And the No. 1 public high school in America is in Dallas Independent School District.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Texas Legislature
Jan 31, 2017
Bill Haslam:
Tools to be successful: good roads and broadband access
The Tennessee we can be provides the tools to be successful. Good roads that take you to good jobs. Broadband access to conduct and grow your business anywhere in Tennessee at the speed of the 21st century. A high quality education system that educates
all. We can do that in Tennessee. Because of the fiscal responsibility we have shown, the Tennessee we can be is a state with a safe and reliable transportation network that supports long-term growth, and one of the best K-12 systems in the country.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Tennessee Legislature
Jan 30, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Increase state transparency: millions of documents online
Inside government over the past two years, we've made great strides in ethics reform. We closed the revolving door on Executive Branch employees leaving government to become administration lobbyists. We tightened the gift ban loopholes that lobbyists
and contractors used to influence regulators and win favor with decision makers. We increased transparency, so that any resident of the state can now go online and review state spending on contracts and at-will hires.
We required more comprehensive economic interest statements so we all could see who was being paid, and by whom. We cleaned up the hiring mess we inherited at IDOT--and we're working cooperatively to strengthen state hiring rules even more.
Our new Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIt) is moving millions of pieces of paper out of file cabinets and into the digital age. We are moving to a digital application process for professional licenses and reducing processing times by 70%.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Illinois Legislature
Jan 25, 2017
Charlie Baker:
Last Mile program: high-speed internet for rural communities
We all know that High-speed internet has become central to the ways we communicate, learn and do business. But too many communities in Western Mass still don't have access to this essential service. That's why this past May we completely overhauled the
Last Mile program for our rural communities.We started with 53 towns lacking high speed internet access. And while there's still more work to be done, in just six months we've moved a dozen towns forward.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Massachusetts Legislature
Jan 24, 2017
Mark Dayton:
$6B investment in highway projects & infrastructure
[Some of] the most important investments we can make are in transportation and other infrastructure improvements. I have spoken about the need to improve our state's highways, roads, bridges, and public transit systems during every one of my previous
State of the State Addresses.Roads, highways, and public transit are to our state's economy, like arteries to the human body. If the arteries are healthy and efficiently transport blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body, everything works at
its best. If, however, the arteries become decrepit or clogged, the body's performance suffers.
Minnesota is at a critical juncture with its transportation systems. Our investments are inadequate to maintain even their current conditions, much less to
expand them. My transportation funding proposal would not only generate that $6 billion of additional revenues for state highway projects; it would also provide an additional $2.8 billion over the next decade for improvements.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Minnesota Legislature
Jan 23, 2017
Brian Sandoval:
$3.5M for cyberdefense against unprecedented threats
We have taken an international leadership role in the development of unmanned aerial systems, autonomous vehicles, and water technology through our economic development efforts. As our economy continues to grow and transform in new and unprecedented
ways, it is imperative that we guard against new and unprecedented threats.In our country, there are now five battlefields in our never-ending fight for safety and security--land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.
I have allocated $3.5 million for the creation of Nevada's first cyberdefense center.
The cyberdefense center will help Nevada detect, prevent, and respond to cyber-attacks and stand ready to partner with local governments and the private sector to minimize cyber risks.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Nevada Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Eric Greitens:
Replace 1959 COBOL systems with online government
Right now, getting permits takes too long. People stand in too many lines for too many hours for too many basic services. Part of the reason for this is that our government is running on too many broken and outdated systems that make it too hard to
serve the people. Some of our government's systems are still programmed using COBOL, a computer language developed in 1959.We need a modern government that allows people to do more on-line instead of making them wait in line.
We also need to remember that many essential government services, whether it's law enforcement, transportation, or education, are delivered by people.
And our best state employees are being hurt by a big bloated bureaucracy. In Indiana, they have
46 state employees per 10,000 people in their state. In Illinois, they have 47 state employees for every 10,000 people. In Ohio, they have 55. And in Missouri? We have 92 employees for every 10,000 people in our state.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Eric Holcomb:
High-tech is key to unlocking 21st century economy
Because we've created one of the best business climates in the country, we've become national leaders in business growth. Businesses and jobs that a dozen years ago were going to Austin or Boston or the Silicon Valley are now coming to Indiana. Because
we saw that innovation and high-tech were keys to unlocking the 21st century economy, we aggressively pursued them. And today, those investments have ignited new high-tech jobs all across our state.Businesses from around the world are coming to
Indiana now because our costs of living and doing business are low and the quality of our workforce is high. This is great news for Hoosier workers. But we know the world will not stand still, and those who don't keep up will be left behind.
For all our growing strength in high tech too many Hoosier businesses are having trouble finding the skilled workers they need to grow--not just potential scientists and engineers but also coders, machinists, mechanics and welders.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Eric Holcomb:
Invest a little more to keep the Crossroads of America
My second pillar [for economic growth] is a sustainable plan to fund our roads and bridges for the next 20 years. We're able to drive the goods we produce and grow to 80% of the nation's population within 24 hours. For Indiana, The Crossroads of America
is more than a motto. It's a mission.I will work with you to establish a plan that preserves what we have, finishes commitments we have made, and invests in the new projects for the future that ensures Indiana remains The Crossroads of America.
These include projects in every quadrant of our state: upgrades of US 30 from Ft. Wayne to Valparaiso, and 31 to South Bend, additional lanes on I-70 and I-65, and completing I-69 from Evansville to Ft. Wayne.
The fact is, existing sources of revenue
are just not keeping up. If we ask Hoosiers to invest a little more, to meet the need, the return is going to be well worth it--for them, for our communities, and for our economy.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Gina Raimondo:
RhodeWorks: fix highways ad 12n0 bridges
We passed the most comprehensive infrastructure program in recent history. It's no secret, that our roads and bridges are some of the worst in the country. But now, because of RhodeWorks, we're fixing our highways. By the end of this year, we'll have
started or completed repairs on nearly 120 bridges: a visible sign that we are rebuilding Rhode Island together. And in the process, we're putting thousands of Rhode Islanders to work in good jobs that don't require a college degree.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Rhode Island Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Rick Snyder:
Invest billions to address risk of aging infrastructure
We know infrastructure is a huge challenge not just in Flint, but we saw what happened in Fraser with the sink hole. We are at risk in every corner of Michigan for aging infrastructure and we cannot take this for granted. Michigan residents deserve
safe, reliable, sustainable infrastructure. That's why I created the 21st Century Infrastructure Commission last year. The commission did tremendous work, they looked for best practice not just in our country but around the world.
They concluded that we need to invest more. We need to literally invest billions of dollars of new investment over the next several decades. We need to look at all public and private sources for this,
including fees, taxes, grants, bonds. We need to start now working on this issue and we need to stay committed to it.
Source: 2017 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 17, 2017
Nathan Deal:
Make GA the Silicon Valley of the South via cyber security
In 2013, the U.S. Army announced that it would build a new cyber command headquarters alongside the National Security Agency facilities at Fort Gordon in Augusta. Less than two months ago, military officials broke ground on those future headquarters
that will cost $2 billion.Fort Gordon is already home to the Cyber Center of Excellence, a training facility for cyberspace operations. And soon, we will begin construction on the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center.
My proposed budget includes $50 million for this state-owned facility, designed to promote modernization in cybersecurity technology for both private and public industries. In conjunction with the Department of Defense and the NSA, this invaluable
resource will put Georgia at the pinnacle of efforts to enhance American cybersecurity in the public and private arenas with a resource unlike any other in the country. This will solidify Georgia's reputation as the Silicon Valley of the South.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Dennis Daugaard:
Online retailers should voluntarily remit sales tax
Sales tax continues to run below even revised projections. Overall revenue is down another $5.8 million. The farm economy is one reason for weakness in the sales tax, and another reason is the continued growth in online sales. Many online retailers do
not collect and remit sales tax. The state has taken several steps over the years to try to collect more
of that tax. The Department of Revenue reached out to many online retailers to encourage them to remit tax. Today, I am pleased to announce that the state has reached an agreement with Amazon to collect and remit state and local sales taxes in
South Dakota. Amazon is a leading online merchant, growing every year by double digits. Their decision to collect sales tax doesn't solve the sales tax issue for online purchases, but it's a big step in the right direction.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to South Dakota Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Kim Reynolds:
STEM initiative to prepare for a 21st century economy
To ensure that our children are prepared for a 21st century economy we advanced a nationally recognized STEM initiative that gives students the confidence and skills for rewarding careers.
The STEM initiative is led by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries, and has seen outstanding growth and success. Sustaining these measures over time is critical to get the right results for our students and our state.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Iowa Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Scott Walker:
$35 million to expand broadband access grant program
Access to high speed and reliable internet service is something we heard about at nearly every listening session. Therefore, I am proposing the state invest $35.5 million more to expand our broadband access grant program and for our efforts to help
upgrade technology, and train teachers from small and rural school districts. That would bring our total investment to $52 million.
The great thing about the Broadband Expansion Grant program is that once the high-speed network is in, the rest is up to the local telecommunication provider--there is no need for a permanent government program.I call on the members of the state
legislature to pass our plan as soon as possible to help connect everyone in the state. Good internet and cellular connections are important for a strong economy and quality of life.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Wisconsin Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Butch Otter:
Support STEM Action Center and Computer Science Initiative
I'm urging supporting the STEM Action Center and its groundbreaking Computer Science Initiative. They already are having a significant impact on thousands of educators and tens of thousands of students.
But the demand is there to expand their reach to help ensure every Idaho student and teacher gets the chance to embrace the STEM fields and the tremendous growth of career opportunities they provide.
Proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math form an increasingly essential link between K -12 and career readiness.
STEM education is critical to developing those skills most in demand in today's workplace.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Idaho Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Dan Malloy:
On-time on-budget completion of Q Bridge project & CTfastrak
We are improving our transportation system as we speak, thanks to the investments we've made together. The on-time and on-budget completion of the Q Bridge project means that, on a daily basis, 140,000 motorists are getting to where they need to go with
greater ease.And with CTfastrak, more people are riding Connecticut transit buses to work. Exceeding all initial projections, average ridership on CTfastrak is as high as 19,000 people per weekday.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Connecticut Legislature
Jan 4, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018