Governors

Enticed by New Renewable Energy Tax Incentive

November 16, 2009 -- PHOENIX – Four months after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed Arizona’s new Renewable Energy Tax Incentive into law, she today announced one of the world’s largest solar cell manufacturers will locate its United States headquarters in Arizona and create jobs for Arizonans. China-based Suntech Power Holdings is a multi-billion dollar corporation that makes photovoltaic solar cells and solar electric systems.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- AUBURN - After touring a recycling center in Auburn, Alabama Governor Bob Riley announced that eight local governments have received more than $1 million under a new grant program designed to encourage recycling.

Governor Riley signed the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act into law in 2008. The law created the Alabama Recycling Fund, which provides grants to cities, counties and non-profit organizations to start new recycling programs or expand existing programs at the local level. During its first year, eight local governments have received $1,161,552 from the fund.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced a significant decrease in tobacco sales to Wisconsin minors. The state’s 2009 Synar sales compliance survey, which determines the number of retail outlets that are selling tobacco illegally to minors, shows a noncompliance rate of 5.7 percent—20 percent lower than the 2008 rate of 7.2 percent.

“In Wisconsin, we are working hard to protect our kids from the scourge of tobacco,” Governor Doyle said. “Our state has a long history of preventing youth tobacco sales and I’m pleased our efforts are paying off.”

Governor Doyle also thanked retailers for helping keep tobacco out of the hands of minors and for their dedication to protecting young people from tobacco’s harmful effects.    » read more »

The Ignite Institute will create 415 jobs

November 16, 2009 -- FAIRFAX – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the creation of The Ignite Institute, a nonprofit medical research institute established by Inova Health System and Dr. Dietrich Stephan, a recognized leader in the field of molecular medicine.

The Institute is the first entity built around the application of personalized medicine innovation in the community health setting. The project's $200 million investment in Fairfax County will create 415 jobs.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today that the Vermont Department of Health was awarded a two-year $860,000 grant by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) that will enable the state to strengthen its healthcare-acquired infection (HAI) prevention activities.

“In 2007, Vermont was the first state in the nation to publicly report hospital-specific healthcare-acquired infection rates using the CDC’s reporting system, and this grant will help keep Vermont at the forefront of patient safety and quality improvement,” said Governor Douglas. “Continuing to improve our overall healthcare system is a key element of Vermont’s health care reform efforts.”    » read more »

Emphasizes importance of science, technology, engineering and math education

November 16, 2009 --
DALLAS – Texas Governor Rick Perry today was joined by Texas Workforce commissioners Andres Alcantar and Ronnie Congleton, Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott and business leaders to announce a $1 million investment from the Texas Workforce Commission to expand statewide student participation in robotics education programs.

The governor emphasized the importance of preparing young Texans to work in an increasingly competitive global economy by promoting programs that integrate science, technology, engineering and math into Texas classrooms.    » read more »

11/16/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Bredesen today began his eighth round of open budget hearings. Upon taking office in January 2003, Bredesen made a commitment to open the budget process to give Tennesseans full view of how their tax dollars fund state government.

"I'm proud to have started the tradition of open hearings here in Tennessee and hope we will continue to serve as an example of open government," said Bredesen. "Tennessee taxpayers have a right to see how their money is being spent, and these discussions are a big part of that process. That becomes especially important in tough times like these when every dollar counts."

As he opened hearings for the FY 2010-2011 budget, Bredesen warned this will be a very difficult year in the face of serious economic challenges.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Secretary of Administration Naomi Wyatt today provided details on how the state’s workforce will be further reduced due to budget cuts. The administration will begin furloughing 319 employees today.

“It is with deep and sincere regret that we announce these furloughs. This administration has been cutting costs and improving efficiency since 2003, but the sharp decline in state revenues left us with no other options,” Wyatt said. “While it was originally thought that up to 1,000 furloughs might be needed, the Governor was able to preserve as many jobs as possible by working to maintain spending at $27.8 billion and developing creative cost savings solutions.”    » read more »

Nov. 16, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report shows that Oregon’s unemployment rate is starting to level off and stabilize, which is promising news. This week we will also receive the next quarterly state revenue forecast, which will provide another snapshot about the state of Oregon’s economy.

“Today’s employment report and the forecast later this week are critical indicators for state and local governments as we continue to budget prudently and plan for a long, slow economic recovery.    » read more »

Requests Federal Funds to Repair N.C. 12 on Outer Banks

11/16/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today will sign an emergency declaration to help Dare County recover from the heavy rain and flooding that saturated the area last week as Tropical Storm Ida moved through North Carolina.

The declaration of a State of Emergency is the first step in seeking federal funds to help clear debris and repair N.C. 12, as it enables the N.C. Department of Transportation to request funding assistance from the Federal Highway Administration.    » read more »

Shrinking revenues call for transformative government, cautious spending

November 16, 2009 -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today proposed a 12 percent budget reduction for most state agencies and called for the merger of some state agencies, universities and school districts in his Executive Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2011.

The $5.5 billion state budget includes $370 million in stimulus funds that will cease after the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Governor Barbour is required by state law to submit a budget to the Legislature.    » read more »

Efforts to reduce detention and disproportionate minority contact are making a difference

November 16, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced promising results from efforts to decrease Iowa’s rates of youth detention, especially for minority youth who are overrepresented in the state’s juvenile justice system.

Statewide, Iowa has decreased its overall detention of juveniles by about 15%, especially for low-level juvenile offenders, in each of the last two years, without any impact on public safety. In Black Hawk County, detention rates of minority youth declined by more than 20% for calendar year 2008. In Polk County, minority detention declined by 23.2%, and in Woodbury County minority detention was cut by 5.2%.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- DUBAI, U.A.E -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue welcomed three economic development announcements made today from the Dubai Airshow that continue to strengthen Georgia’s reputation as a global center for the aviation industry.

“Each of these three announcements illustrate a key aspect of our economic development strategy – location of a new U.S. headquarters in Georgia, an existing company expanding its current workforce and an Atlanta-based business selling its products to overseas customers,” Governor Perdue said. “    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today suspended Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, who was charged today with grand theft, a second degree felony. Last month, Governor Crist petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate criminal activity committed by public officials while acting in their official capacity.

Katherine Fernandez Rundle, the State Attorney for the 11th Circuit Court, informed Governor Crist of the impending arrests.

“I am grateful to Florida’s State Attorneys for their tireless work to uncover corruption and bring those who abuse their position of public trust to justice,” Governor Crist said.    » read more »

New Law to Take Effect Next Week

November 16, 2009 -- DOVER- Delaware would become the first state in America to require insurance carriers to cover medically appropriate developmental screening tests for children between birth and the age of three under a new law that will take effect Nov. 25.

The new law, which Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed into law Aug. 27, will dramatically increase the number of children whose developmental delays are detected at a very young age when they can be successfully treated.    » read more »