Tech Talkin' Govs VI: A Final Look at the 2001State of the State, Budget Addresses

Editor's Note: The sixth and final installment in our review of the Governors' inaugural addresses, state of the state addresses, and budget messages for 2001. Previous weeks' installments are available on our website http://www.ssti.org/Digest/2001/headlines01.htm 

Alabama 

Governor Don Siegelman, State of the State Address, February 6, 2001 

http://www.nga.org/governors/1,1169,C_SPEECH^D_684,00.html

• Requests an appropriation of $10.3 million to create the Alabama Virtual High School, to continue funding the Virtual Library, and to train teachers in technology to provide students with computer skills and information to compete in the 21st century. 

Pennsylvania 

Governor Tom Ridge, Budget Presentation and supporting press releases,

February 6, 2001 

http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/Speeches/010206-add.html 

Budget in Brief at http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/budgetadd.html

A large number of tech-based economic development initiatives and funding proposals were announced with the budget (see the lead story of this issue of the Digest) 

• A $10 million “Brain Gain” crusade comprised of three components to keep Pennsylvania’s young people in the state: 
  • “Stay Invent the Future” marketing campaign to showcase Pennsylvania to its young people; 
  • “Stay Invent the Future Internship Corps” - - a private sector and community campaign linking companies and young people; and 
  • Regional “Brain Gain” funding opportunities to support local initiatives involving universities, businesses, and community organizations, to address the “Brain Gain” issue. 
• $5.5 million in funding for higher education technology grants focused on innovative approaches to community-based networking and curriculum development for information science and technology programs. 
• $2 million for the workforce development initiative within the community college system to support partnerships with industry 
• $850,000 in state and $2 million in federal funds to implement the Cyberscholarships Program, which provides Internet-skills training for qualified workers and job seekers. 
• $10 million for year two of the CyberStart campaign to link all 4,000-plus child care centers to Internet-based learning tools and program content. 
• An additional $692,000 (in federal funding) will be used to train child care staff
  
  in the use of technology in the classroom.  
• $4 million in federal funding to provide low income families with access to
  
  computers in community-based settings 

Rhode Island 

Governor Lincoln Almond, State of the State Remarks, February 7, 2001 

http://www.governor.state.ri.us/Gov's%20Speeches/stateofstate01shrink.html

• Proposed $525,000 for the establishment of an Information Technology Center at the Community College in partnership with the Human Resources Investment Council, institutions of higher education, and members of the technology industry. Through this joint venture, a statewide network will be created to develop a pool of employees for the technology industry. 
• A $1 million investment to help support a new Slater Center for Progressive Manufacturing.