State of Michigan Archives: on Technology
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
Heritage Foundation: FHA highway funds are skewed because strings are attached
FHA data suggests that, in 2012, only four states--Arizona, South Carolina, Texas and Utah--got back less than $1 for highway funding for every $1 the state's residents paid in federal highway gasoline taxes. So why complain?
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. Source: FactCheck.org PacWatch on 2014 Michigan Senate debate Aug 29, 2014
Mark Schauer: Restore tax incentives for high-tech businesses
Mark has a long track record of working personally with small businesses to keep and create jobs for Michigan workers. While Gov. Snyder has unilaterally disarmed in the race for jobs by abandoning tax incentives for high-tech businesses, Mark will ensure our economic development officials have the tools they need to compete for new jobs. Source: 2014 Michigan gubernatorial campaign website MarkSchauer.com Dec 20, 2013
Rick Snyder: Take leadership role in cyber defense and development
The benefits of online technology are enormous. Unfortunately, attacks on our personal safety and economic security through the Internet continue to grow and expand. Michigan is taking a leadership role with regard to protecting the vulnerable ecosystem in the cyber world, and in accelerating the economic development and growth of the cybersecurity industry. Our new action plan will help defend Michigan against cyber attacks allow us to look into opportunities in the growing cybersecurity industry. Source: Michigan 2011 gubernatorial press release, #263758 Oct 7, 2011
Rick Snyder: Census figures reinforce need for aggressive administration
The 2010 census figures clearly show how crucial it is to reinvent Michigan. Our expectations need to reflect today's realities. This is why my administration has aggressively laid out an agenda based on fiscal discipline, meaningful tax reform and regional cooperation
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. Source: Michigan 2011 gubernatorial press release, #253071 Mar 22, 2011
Rick Wade: Double the budget for basic scientific research
To deny government's important, complementary role in growing our economy is to deny history. Take basic research, for example.
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. Source: Remarks at US Regional Business Tour, Battle Creek, Michigan Apr 6, 2010
John McCain: Don't police Internet crime; go after money to reduce crime
Q: Would you police the Internet culturally, such as for predators & pornography?
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. Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007
Mike Huckabee: Air tech is Jetsons but air traffic control is Flintstones
Q: How do you fix airline travel in this country?
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. Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007
Rudy Giuliani: Police the Internet, but don't tax the Internet
Q: How would you police the Internet culturally, such as with predators & pornography?
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. Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007
Sam Brownback: Cut the Advanced Technology Program; it's corporate welfare
Q: So name one program you would cut.
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. Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007
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.
Done correctly, America's first Cybercourt will make the Next Michigan uniquely attractive to the next generation of technology-driven companies. The Next Michigan has the potential to be to technology companies what Delaware has been to public corporations. Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature Jan 31, 2001
The above quotations are from State of Michigan Politicians: Archives.
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