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The State Of Technology In The States
by Maureen Sirhal
Despite the implosion of many technology firms over the last few years, several state leaders still are looking to the high-tech sector to spur economic growth. According to another round of the annual State of the State addresses, several governors are touting new projects designed to increase the number of higher-paying jobs and to boost the tech industry.
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon touted his recently announced "Energize Indiana" initiatives, which seek to spur high-paying jobs in four technology-related areas: information technology; 21st-century logistics, or high-tech distribution; advanced manufacturing; and life sciences.
"It will provide venture capital for entrepreneurs, stimulate research and development, create construction jobs when we build university research facilities, and match current workers with even better jobs," O'Bannon said. The initiatives aim to provide grants and loans for economic development investments and scholarships for students studying disciplines in the four sectors.
Similarly, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack called for the creation of the Iowa Values Fund to supplement private investments in startup firms and projects designed to boost job growth and the economy.
Other state leaders are targeting rules that they believe are hampering business in the tech sector. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, for instance, has pledged to remove barriers to the commercialization of technology research.
"Arizona's constitution prohibits universities from forming or taking equity positions in commercial ventures, which slows down their efforts to convert research innovations into viable commercial applications," she said in her prepared State of the State speech. As a result, Napolitano said she plans to try to repeal the constitutional ban.
And Delaware Gov. Ruth Minner vowed to pursue legislation that would make procedural changes in Delaware chancery court for technology-related cases.
State Budget Scenarios Grow Bleaker
The push for technology investments comes as states face one of the worst budget crises in 50 years. A new study conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and released Tuesday reveals that budget deficits have grown nearly 50 percent the last two months.
A majority of states will need to close a total revenue gap of almost $26 billion between now and June 30, when fiscal 2003 ends in most states, according to the study. That figure has grown from more than $17 billion since NCSL's November estimate.
"The magnitude of next year's budget gap is startling," NCSL President Angela Monson said in a statement. "Thirty-three states estimate budget gaps in excess of 5 percent, with 18 of those facing gaps above 10 percent."
States are expected to face at least a $68.5 billion shortfall in fiscal 2004.
Much of the deficits are tied to the downturn in the economy and the related reduction in tax revenues. Governors or lawmakers in at least 24 states have proposed tax increases to close deficits. Fourteen states will consider higher cigarette taxes, while another six will consider increased alcohol taxes.
Arizona Governor Creates Tech Council
As promised in her State of the State address, Arizona's Napolitano last week signed an order to establish a new Council on Innovation and Technology comprised of technology leaders who will formulate policy recommendations designed to reinvigorate the industry.
The council will address issues such as the transfer of technology research being conducted at state universities to the private sector and examine ways to boost venture capital and investments in technology infrastructure. It also will advise Napolitano on technology policy.
The leaders of the council are: Pat Stoner, CEO of Stoner-Roland, a management resource firm; Quinn Williams, corporate partner and chairman of the Emerging Business and Venture Capital Group for the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig; and Ed Zito, president of Comerica's Mountain States Region.
Other members include: Louise Fransesconi, president of Missile Systems at Raytheon; Ed Koopman, general manager of Boeing's Arizona Operations; and CEOs Richard Pieranunzi of ST Microelectronics, Steve Sanghi of Microchip Technologies and Roy Vallee of Avnet.
Financial Privacy Still On California's Agenda
Financial privacy legislation is attracting growing support in California and has a "very good chance" of passing this year, state Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn said last week. The Silicon Valley Democrat chairs the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee and cited privacy among several key technology issues that her panel will address in 2003.
Last year, state Sen. Jackie Speier pushed a bill, S.B. 773, that would have placed limits on how financial services firms share customer information, but the state Assembly defeated the measure in the waning days of its session. Speier reintroduced the measure as S.B. 1 in December.
Cohn said her committee also is likely to continue close oversight of the state's effort to provide free, online tax-filing service. The panel wants to ensure that the California Franchise Tax Board is taking the proper steps to protect the privacy of taxpayers who file electronically. This week, New Jersey's Star Ledger reported that new rules are enabling California's tax board to share data with cities, counties and other municipalities about individuals who may owe little-known taxes.
Utah Republicans Target Identity Theft
Two Utah Republicans have introduced measures to curb identity theft by restricting the display of credit-card information and Social Security numbers.
Sen. Carlene Walker is sponsoring two measures: S.B. 6, which would ban the display of the last five digits of credit cards or their expiration dates on credit receipts; and S.B. 42, which would criminalize the use of, but not outlaw, personal scanners to steal financial information from the magnetic strips on credit cards.
Meanwhile, Rep. Sheryl Allen introduced a bill, H.B. 181, that would restrict the ability of certain health-insurance providers and programs offered under the Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program Act from displaying Social Security Numbers on patient cards.
Texas To Get Two Security-Related Grants
The federal government has awarded Texas a $1.7 million grant to develop the Texas Security Alert and Analysis Center, a new organization designed to coordinate the state's intelligence, response and warning systems. The grant was awarded to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Gov. Rick Perry announced last week that the state's Emergency Management Division will operate the center, which aims to sift and coordinate the release of security-related information from law enforcement agencies and analyze tips and other intelligence gathered by local groups. The creation of the center, which is expected to be operational in a year, implements a key recommendation from Perry's homeland security advisory board.
Perry also announced that Texas will receive a $122,000 grant for counter-terrorism training.
Prosecutors To Ponder Internet Law
The National Association of Attorneys General is sponsoring its third Internet Law Institute in Seattle on April 14-15, 2003. Hosted by Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire, the institute aims to help state attorneys general understand how the Internet impacts their jobs.
Topics likely will include federal and state cooperation in cyber cases and "best practices" for protecting consumers in e-commerce transactions, as well as updates on state, federal and international developments affecting privacy and unsolicited e-mail.
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