State of Michigan Archives: on Technology

Mike Parson: $5 million investment to expand and improve broadband

When we talk about infrastructure, we often think about transportation but equally important is access to high-speed broadband. We have made great strides in the past few years. However, 2020 exposed many digital gaps, highlighting the importance of ensuring high-speed internet in all areas of Missouri which is why this year, I am once again asking for a $5 million dollar investment to expand and improve broadband services across the state.

John James: Broadband access to everyone, not just big cities

Gretchen Whitmer: Will act on infrastructure if legislature won't

My Rebuilding Michigan plan is financed without an increase at the gas pump, and it will do three things: save time, money, and lives. Since it doesn't require the legislature to act, we can get started right away. That's important.

Debbie Stabenow: Supports net neutrality

John James (R): Unknown.

Debbie Stabenow (D): Yes. FCC decision to overturn net neutrality is "terrible."

Gretchen Whitmer: Expand broadband with net neutrality

Bill Schuette (R): Unknown.

Gretchen Whitmer (D): Yes. Expand broadband. Implement net neutrality through Executive Order.

Abdul El-Sayed: We need $4B per year for Pure Michigan Infrastructure Bank

El-Sayed generally agrees with the Snyder-appointed 21st Century Infrastructure Commission's finding that Michigan has an investment gap of $4 billion per year, the spokesman said. "Yet we differ on what's needed to make Michigan's infrastructure whole," he added. "First, we need a public infrastructure bank--our Pure Michigan Infrastructure Bank--that can keep investments in infrastructure under public control while empowering private investment. Second, the recommended investment estimates don't include the need to transition to clean energy ($0 annually). Third, suggested transportation investments skew too heavily to new road construction rather than creation of mass transit options."

Bill Schuette: Invest in infrastructure but vows to lower taxes

Gretchen Whitmer: We need $3B per year for inadequate infrastructure

Whitmer said current funding levels for infrastructure are inadequate, and that she would begin to address the $4 billion annual funding gap ("far & away the reason why our roads are so dangerous," she said) identified by the infrastructure commission by investing an extra $3 billion per year up front.

"Recent plans rely on future legislators to pull funding from the state's general fund to make less than adequate investments in infrastructure," she said. "It's a flawed plan that will not work."

John James: Repair of infrastructure is stepping stone to the future

Rick Snyder: Invest billions to address risk of aging infrastructure

Heritage Foundation: FHA highway funds are skewed because strings are attached

Proponents of the Transportation Empowerment Act, such as the conservative Heritage Foundation, argue that the return-on-investment data from the FHA is skewed because the federal money comes with strings attached, namely requirements to pay laborers locally prevailing wages and to comply with federal environmental impact laws. Some conservatives argue such requirements add undue costs to projects, although the degree is a matter of some debate.

The federal dollars also "cannot be used for routine maintenance such as filling potholes or removing snow." Land's ad specifically shows images of potholes, and it's true that the state cannot spend federal money to fix them. Every state tacks on its own gasoline tax, which can be used on routine maintenance.

Mark Schauer: Restore tax incentives for high-tech businesses

Rick Snyder: Take leadership role in cyber defense and development

Rick Snyder: Census figures reinforce need for aggressive administration

We cannot successfully transition to the 'New Michigan' if young, talented workers leave our state. By the same token, Michigan will not succeed if major cities don't succeed. We all must be partners in Michigan's reinvention.

Rick Wade: Double the budget for basic scientific research

We may have seen the Internet come of age in Silicon Valley, but it first came to life in the labs of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The folks at Tempur-Pedic have given us mattresses using technology that was first developed by NASA.

President Obama understands that funding this type of basic government and university research, which might be too risky or expensive for the private sector, is vital to our economic future. That is why he has called for doubling the budgets of research agencies such as the National Science Foundation. His 2011 budget increases funding for civilian R&D by $3.7 billion, or nearly 6%. This illustrates his broader approach to setting this country on a path for long-term economic growth. This administration is trying to rebuild the physical and the regulatory infrastructure that private sector businesses need to thrive.

John McCain: Don’t police Internet crime; go after money to reduce crime

A: Absolutely not, but I also want to point out this Internet child pornography is a terrible evil. It’s got to be addressed. And everybody knows the way you stop it is go after the money.

Mike Huckabee: Air tech is Jetsons but air traffic control is Flintstones

A: Well, as president, that would be one of the first things I’d like to do, since I’ve spent most of my year on an airline this entire time. First of all, we’ve got to have the kind of technology on the ground that we have in the cockpit. We’ve got Jetsons-level technology that’s running the cockpit; we have the Flintstones technology on the ground that’s controlling the airplanes. And it’s ridiculous. And the second thing, we’ve got an incredibly archaic method of the controls where you have incredible traffic coming in to key hubs. I don’t want to re-regulate the industry, but the industry’s going to have to start either getting in the program--and one thing they’ve got to stop doing is holding the passengers hostage on airplanes for hours and hours without any way of being able to get off those planes. And part of it, I think, is let’s make sure that the consumer gets a voice in what happens. And it’s got to be a priority.

Rudy Giuliani: Police the Internet, but don’t tax the Internet

A: I think it’s the new serious area of crime that’s emerging. First of all, let’s separate the economics from the safety and security, like we have to do with free trade agreements; that we should not tax the Internet. There are people who are proposing taxing the Internet. That’d be a really, really big mistake. We should police the Internet in that we should make sure that child predators aren’t taking advantage of the Internet. There are a lot of good state and local law enforcement efforts in that regard. I think a task force between the federal government and state and local governments, in order to police it, to share information--those are the kinds of things that we have to do.

Q: Should we have an FCC-style agency for the Internet?

A: If it becomes worse--I’m not big on setting up new agencies. I’m sort of bigger on making the ones that we have work.

Sam Brownback: Cut the Advanced Technology Program; it’s corporate welfare

A: Advanced Technology Program would be a good one to start with. It goes towards high-end spending, corporate welfare programs. There’s an abundance of those. That’s why you got to change the system, so that it regularly requires a vote of Congress on things to cut. That’s what’ll actually reduce spending.

John Engler: Establish “Cybercourt” to resolve disputes on-line & quickly

For inventors, entrepreneurs, small tech and IT firms, the protection of intellectual property rights is a critical concern. We need a connected court that can keep up. I propose that Michigan boldly go where no state has gone before by creating the Cybercourt. In the Next Michigan, the Cybercourt will:
• feature e-filings, web-based conferencing and virtual courtrooms;
• significantly reduce travel time and cost;
• recognize that prompt dispute resolution means the difference between success and failure for a new venture; and,
• use mediators and judges who have the skills and knowledge to render prompt, competent decisions.