Without a record to point to yet, addresses from new governors tend to be light on details as they grapple with forming their cabinets, articulating policy priorities, confronting economic realities and delving into budget details.
But a clear throughline emerged, nonetheless: Governors are going deep on broadband. Whether an incumbent or newly elected, thanks to a historic infusion of federal funds, governors cited the millions in investment going to bolstering connectivity within their borders, with many getting specific about residents and businesses slated for high-speed Internet: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson mentioned $250 million to expand broadband to connect every household, business, school and farm in the state; Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen talked about the newly created Nebraska Broadband Office, whose focus is statewide broadband as well; and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice proclaimed the state was “halfway home” in making use of its $1 billion public/private broadband expansion fund.
—Noelle Knell, Editor
Alabama State of the State Address
Address date: March 7, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: During her annual State of the State address, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey promised lawmakers and Alabamans that the state will continue using COVID-19 federal relief funds to expand broadband access and modernize the state’s water and sewer infrastructure. While few details were given regarding tech initiatives, she said officials aim to explore new ways to attract employers to the state to create more “high-tech jobs.”
In terms of future tech-related plans in the state, the governor announced a proposal to create an Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences to address the ongoing health-care worker shortage and expose students to STEM career opportunities as the national economy becomes increasingly digitized. She also briefly stressed the need for state lawmakers to support future efforts to modernize Alabama’s economy, adding that the state needs to “look ahead and create an economic development strategy for the 2030s.”
Read the governor’s speech here.
Alaska State of the State Address
Address Date: Jan. 23, 2023
Stars: 0
To sum it up: Gov. Mike Dunleavy in his fifth State of the State address acknowledged challenges including the pandemic, the historic earthquake and landslides. Further, he acknowledged how the state and its people, along with local, state and federal partners, joined nonprofit groups and the private sector in a massive effort to help repair homes and restore roads and seawalls.
Dunleavy said it is with that mettle and resourcefulness that the state will improve the future for residents by promoting Alaska’s “unmatched opportunities for investment and development.” And while Dunleavy didn’t make any mention of technology in his address, he did tout a newly developed performance-based education program aimed at meeting the needs of students today and into the future.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Arizona State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 9, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs used her State of the State address this year to outline the priorities of her new administration. There was only one specific reference to technology — acknowledgment that lack of high-speed Internet in rural communities limits participation in the business environment.
The first priority Hobbs mentioned was education. She urged the Legislature to bring forth Rep. David Cook’s resolution to override an outdated funding cap. Hobbs also said she will be launching an Educator Retention Task Force to address teacher staffing. Her forthcoming budget will also expand access to community college, regardless of immigration status.
The second priority mentioned was the cost of housing and living. To address these challenges, Hobbs will be investing in the Housing Trust Fund, establishing the Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing, and exempting diapers and feminine hygiene products from the state’s sales tax. Finally, she noted water scarcity, a bipartisan issue she hopes to address with her plan for a Resilient Arizona, which includes re-establishing the Governor’s Energy Office and launching the Governor’s Water Policy Council.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Arkansas State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
California State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Colorado State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 17, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: In his 2023 State of the State speech, Gov. Jared Polis mentioned tech most directly while discussing the environment and sustainability. The governor noted that Colorado was on track to use 80 percent renewable energy by 2030 with a goal of hitting 100 percent by 2040. Part of that, he said, would happen by investing in clean transportation, specifically through state tax credits that support electric vehicles and e-bikes. The other clearest mention of tech was Polis discussing Colorado’s work for free pre-school. He pointed parents to a state website where they could sign up for it.
Polis also said the state’s energy office was leading a multi-state teamup to get federal funding for a hydrogen hub. The other states involved are Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico. There was a lot of talk in the governor’s speech about helping Coloradans get skills training for the future, but no mention of digital skills training specifically. Finally, the governor said tech would help reduce auto theft in the state but did not elaborate on how.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Connecticut State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 4, 2023
Stars: 0
To sum it up: There was no mention of technology in Gov. Ned Lamont’s Jan. 4 State of the State address. The governor’s short address drew attention to the struggles facing the state’s workforce — primarily the need for more skills training and affordable housing — and he called on his cabinet to address lingering infrastructure and equipment problems with longer term solutions. “Stop pouring money into a leaky bucket. Fix the bucket and put the money to work,” he challenged. One could assume that the same philosophy would be applied to IT spending and technical systems, though it was not said explicitly. Lamont also called for new and innovative ways to power the state, including nuclear power and partnerships with Canadian hydro-electric companies, to reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Read the governor’s address here.
Delaware State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 19, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Focusing almost entirely on economic issues, Gov. John Carney’s address to the people of Delaware referenced technology only as it pertained to specific business and education initiatives. He praised a $500 million project to build a new science and technology campus used by DuPont, Prelude Therapeutics and Solenis at the Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park; he also highlighted the sports-health tech company HX Innovations, which uses software to assess and monitor injuries and performance, as an example of a forward-looking small business that the state’s new Division of Small Business intended to attract. Carney also discussed the growth of innovative research at the University of Delaware’s STAR campus and the addition of a new workforce development center at Delaware Technical Community College. His only other reference to technology was a brief mention of using federal funds to build out the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The rest of his speech concentrated on jobs, education, child care, natural resources and public safety.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Florida State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 3, 2023
Stars: 0
To sum it up: In Gov. Ron DeSantis’ inaugural address following his recent re-election, he stuck almost entirely to discussing politics. DeSantis levied many criticisms at other states as well as at the federal government, while praising his administration’s own actions during his previous term. Indeed, little mention was made of state governance specifics, and that of course includes technology, which wasn’t mentioned directly at all. It should be noted, however, that a future State of the State address for 2023 from Gov. DeSantis may still be forthcoming, but at the time of publication, a second address post-inauguration did not appear to be scheduled.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Georgia State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 13, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: In a speech heavy on hard numbers and budget dollars, Gov. Brian Kemp — now beginning his second term — spent much of his focus on education, public safety and health care. The only time he ventured into technological territory was when he highlighted a proposal to spend $7 million on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to upgrade crime lab equipment and make improvements to its headquarters in Decatur, as well as add staff.
Aside from that, Kemp called for pay raises for K-12 teachers, law enforcement and other state employees; rate increases for providers in the foster care system; stricter control over library materials; more focus on gangs and human trafficking; and constitutional carry legislation.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Hawaii State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 23, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Hawaii Gov. Joshua Green is urging the state to invest in clean energy to both address the climate crisis and make the state more resilient. He has proposed $100 million toward a “climate impact fund” steered by the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission.
“We are committed to pursuing climate change strategies that are equitable, culturally responsive and resilient,” Green told the Hawaii Legislature in his State of the State address Jan. 23. Among the specific climate-related priorities Green mentioned were sustainable transportation, informed land use policies and a resilient power grid. To reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, Green announced his intention to invest in hydrogen technologies and expand renewable energy infrastructure.
Outside of the environmental strategies Green focused on, there was no additional mention of technology and how it factored into his plans for the state.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Idaho State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Gov. Brad Little opened his State of the State address by commending Idahoans for re-electing him and promised to continue serving the state’s residents. Little spent the bulk of this address touting his Idaho First plan, which will encompass myriad investments, most notably in education but also workforce training and infrastructure, among others. The plan includes multiple scholarships for graduating high school students in the state to attend an Idaho-based higher education institution or workforce training program of their choice. The plan also makes permanent a grant program that helps families afford computers and software, instructional material and other outside resources to help students keep up with their schoolwork. Little went on to describe other investments covered in the plan, like water infrastructure, local roads and bridges. The governor did not specifically mention other investments in technology.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Illinois State of the State Address
Address date: Feb. 15, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: In his first address since the onset of the pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker sang the praises of the state’s more solid financial footing and rising credit rating. “The state of our state is stronger than it ever has been, and we’re getting stronger every day,” he said, pointing to success around the budget.
He pointed to the need for enhanced educational programs and workforce training as an area of focus for his administration, saying that some 81,000 jobs currently exist without skilled labor to fill them. Skills training will help to build the state’s data center, and electric vehicle and IT industries, he said.
Pritzker announced investment in one-stop shop portals for business owners and mental health services. Some $10 million is proposed for a mental health portal. Similarly, a $45 million investment is being proposed to update the Department of Public Health’s systems, specifically around the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and long-term care systems.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Indiana State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Saying he wants to secure Indiana’s “place in the economy of the future,” Gov. Eric Holcomb talked about his plans to make the state more business friendly — plans that include technology. He told lawmakers and citizens that semiconductors and electric vehicles represent areas where Indiana should invest to attract new residents to the state. As well, he called for schools, homes and businesses — even those located in relatively remote and rural areas of Indiana — to gain broadband Internet connections, pointing to the prevalence of autonomous tractors in addition to robots on factory assembly lines.
Doing so requires more economic development fueled by state budget expenditures. “It’s only prudent to provide state budget leaders the nimble ability to consider and allocate the needed resources so we can fly out of the fourth turn and edge out the competition down the negotiation stretch,” Holcomb said. “It’s been said that investment is the strongest sign of a promising future.” The governor also requested that the Legislature fully fund the state courts’ request for technology upgrades, as well as shore up the health system by investing in data-driven solutions to the opioid crisis.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Iowa State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds didn’t focus much on technology in her Condition of the State speech, instead briefly touching on a wide range of topics, including immigration, overdose deaths, abortion, health-care funding and education.
In her discussion of education, Reynolds focused specifically on what she views as the harms of e-learning and distance education at the primary and secondary levels. She touted the fact that Iowa was one of the early states to require in-person learning during the pandemic.
Reynolds also announced a plan that could have impacts on the state’s IT governance. She promised to introduce a bill that would consolidate the state’s 37 cabinet-level positions into 16 roles, though she did not release details of that plan, so it’s unclear how the Office of the Chief Information Officer or other business roles within the state government will be impacted.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Kansas State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 24, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: In her State of the State address, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly lauded the state for passing four straight years of balanced budgets and fully funded schools and for landing the largest economic development project in the history of the state.
In terms of technology, Kelly mentioned expanding access to high-speed Internet and strengthening the state’s cybersecurity. But she spoke more specifically about the future and the need to focus on improving middle-income and affordable housing and expanding high-speed rail, as well as adapting to the mental health crisis. Kelly cited a study by Mental Health America that ranked Kansas last on access to mental health services. To help, she said the state has taken action, launching 988, the new three-digit number for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and has expanded mental health programming in schools. She also spoke of the need to pass legislation to guarantee mental health care for the state’s first responders — police, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, who are not eligible for workers’ compensation for PTSD.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Kentucky State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 4, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Gov. Andy Beshear’s fourth State of the Commonwealth address focused on what he identified as the best two-year period for economic growth in Kentucky’s history. He attributed much of that progress to an “electric vehicle revolution” driving two of the largest economic development projects the commonwealth has yet seen, including breaking ground on the $6 billion BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, which is expected to create 5,000 jobs, and the $2 billion Envision AESC battery facility in Bowling Green, expected to create 2,000 jobs. He also lauded a significant investment in the EV supply chain, in the form of $1 billion from Ascend Elements for the recycling and production of lithium-ion battery materials.
Beshear also mentioned “the largest public-sector investment in expanding high-speed Internet,” a possible reference to the Better Internet initiative that offered $89.1 million in grants to Internet service providers and local governments. The only other mention of an initiative tangentially related to technology was $245 million over the past two years spent on renovations of career and technical centers in high schools.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Louisiana State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Maine State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Maryland State of the State Address
Address date:
Stars: 0
To sum it up: Incoming Gov. Wes Moore made no mention of technology in his address, instead focusing on topics like public service and economic mobility.
Encouraging more residents to participate in public service would reduce the need to spend on external vendors and contractors and build a more engaged and socially connected community, Moore said. His administration aims to bolster such a movement through a new Department of Service and Civic Innovation and advocating for passage of a law that would create a community service year option for high school graduates.
Moore also put a focus on the economy. Raising the state minimum wage to $15/hour could help reduce child poverty, especially when paired with other measures like permanently extending the enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit and expanding the Child Tax Credit, he said. Moore also advocated for an act intended to build the state’s supply of teachers, boost public education and create a more competitive workforce.
Better pay could also help the government address unfilled positions, and Moore said he aims to raise wages on certain roles while consolidating or eliminating outdated positions. Maryland’s budget also would increase pay for corrections and parole officers and fund hiring more resident advisers for youth, with the aim of improving outcomes for people re-entering society.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Massachusetts State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Michigan State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 25, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer briefly touched on technology in her fifth State of the State address. She began her speech by highlighting how different proposals would impact three groups of Michiganders: “the worker, the graduate and the kid.” A few of these proposals included rolling back the state’s retirement tax, expanding tax credits for working families and offering a free year of pre-K for 4-year-old children. Mixed throughout these proposals was the mention of technology used by the state. First, Whitmer highlighted Michigan’s most recent tech achievements, including the opening of more battery and microchip plants. These projects alone, she said, generated over $13.5 billion in revenue. From there, Whitmer pivoted to using technology to improve the state’s infrastructure, like building a more innovative transportation system and implementing smart road technology to prevent crashes. Lastly, she mentioned that the state’s recently established infrastructure office would double down its efforts to build up the state’s roads, high-speed Internet and clean energy efforts.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Minnesota State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Clean energy received a big shout-out in April’s State of the State Address from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. He used a good chunk of the annual speech almost as a victory lap, given that he won a second term as the state’s leader in November. But technology, while not the main player in his address, did receive a share of the spotlight. Walz touted a plan to move to 100 percent clean energy by 2040 via carbon-free electricity. Economic benefits, along with infrastructure and job gains, also will come from his plan to offer tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles, he said.
Walz also talked about the launch of what he called a “new plan to modernize state government,” an effort that will give people seeking services — he mentioned food assistance as an example —“somewhere you can go to access all our resources in one place.”
Read the governor's speech here.
Mississippi State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 30, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves was light on discussions of technology in his State of the State address, instead focusing on the state’s finances, education and social issues. Reeves touted $6 billion in capital investments for the state and called out more than a dozen local communities in Mississippi that received funds for economic development, hinting at possible state funding opportunities for vendors at the local level for private-sector growth.
While education is sometimes a tech-heavy topic as state leaders consider the evolving nature of the classroom, Reeves mostly focused on the recent improvement in Mississippi’s educational outcomes and his state’s ban on trans students competing in school athletics.
Reeves also called on his state’s Legislature to invest more in state and local police forces. While his proposal was for more personnel hiring, Mississippi cities have been the recipients of several federal grants aimed at procuring new and upgraded public safety technology.
One bright spot of tech was Reeves’ call on the state to invest more in the health-care sector, likening the need for new methods, business models and technologies in health care to the explosion of innovation in the consumer tech sector.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Missouri State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 18, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Gov. Mike Parson touched on technology topics a handful of times in his 2023 State of the State address, titled “Not Done Yet.” He spoke about broadband early and prominently, highlighting his state’s expansion of high-speed Internet to about 70,000 underserved homes and businesses last year. The governor said the state will invest another $250 million in broadband expansion, with a goal no less lofty than connecting every last home, school, business and farm in Missouri.
Aside from that, Parson touched on technology when speaking on workforce development, touting $3 million in funding for Apprenticeship Missouri to focus on opportunities in IT and other areas. He’s also putting $25 million toward research, program development and training in the burgeoning field of semiconductor manufacturing.
Other significant items in Parson’s speech included an $859 million initiative to widen Interstate 70, a request for an 8.7 percent cost of living adjustment for state employees, $50 million for school safety grants and three new child-care tax credit programs.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Montana State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 25, 2023
Stars: 3
To sum it up: Gov. Greg Gianforte delivered his second State of the State speech in late January, emphasizing efforts to cut taxes, add jobs and otherwise contribute to the prosperity of Montanans. With respect to tech, Gianforte made indirect references to priorities with technology at their core, like an overarching commitment to “responsive, effective government,” featuring modern, streamlined services. Delving into a couple of department-level initiatives, he specifically touted the state’s new system for unemployment benefits. Record-setting joblessness connected to the pandemic led many state unemployment systems to buckle under the strain, prompting significant investment across the country, as it did in Montana.
Montana’s varied terrain and sparse population make it well suited to benefit from high-speed connectivity. Gianforte noted a couple specifics, like advanced STEM classes available through online learning and telehealth expanding access to health care. And he rightly made a direct link between these opportunities to recent investments in broadband which aim to bring reliable service for more than 60,000 homes.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Nebraska State of the State Address
Stars: 1
Address date: Jan. 25, 2023
To sum it up: In his first State of the State address since taking office this month, Gov. Jim Pillen went deep into his proposed budget. His budget includes $100 million to leverage another $400 million in federal funds to improve infrastructure. His team also created the Nebraska Broadband Office (NBO) with the sole focus of getting broadband completed throughout the state. Tech was not mentioned outside the NBO.
Pillen’s speech focused on making cuts to property and income taxes, specifically to property taxes and income taxes for individuals, families, businesses and Social Security recipients.
Pillen also pitched the Education Future Fund with an initial investment of $1 billion in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and $250 million each year thereafter to assist school districts with meeting the needs of special education students across the state. Pillen also proposed $39.4 million to fund over 4,200 scholarships for students who stay in Nebraska to pursue higher education. His budget also touched on investments in law enforcement, building the Perkins County Canal, recruiting top talent and marketing the state nationwide.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Nevada State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 23, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Gov. Joe Lombardo made a couple nods to technology during his speech, including describing virtual schools as one of several valuable options for student learning, and announcing plans to invest $400 million in expanding broadband connectivity.
Lombardo also discussed plans to build up the state’s energy sector. The governor intends to issue an executive order “that allows electric providers to develop dedicated in-state generation resources,” so that Nevada can become less dependent on the wider electric market. This move comes in response to California’s growing reliance on that market.
He also said the state aims to appeal to businesses, and he pointed to a planned Tesla expansion as one result of Nevada’s “read[iness] to partner” with the private sector. Tesla is slated to construct a $3.5 billion advanced manufacturing facility for all-electric semitrucks.
Read the governor’s speech here.
New Hampshire State of the State Address
Address date: Feb. 14, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu used his Feb. 14 budget address to highlight the state’s key funding priorities moving forward, noting increased investments in education and workforce development initiatives. While little attention was given to technology-centered initiatives specifically, the governor said the state is working to expand access to computer science learning in K-12 schools to prepare students for an increasingly digitized job market. Noting the fact that current workforce demands “already outpace the available skills,” the governor proposed putting $5 million toward a computer science to establish a “statewide credentialling system” and hire more computer science instructors, among other stipulations. He added that the budget also “doubles down” on bringing robotics to all middle and high schools in New Hampshire via the state’s new “Experiential Robotics Platform.”
Read the governor’s speech here.
New Jersey State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: In Gov. Phil Murphy’s State of the State address, he emphasized the importance of creating an affordable New Jersey, strengthening the state’s economy, and modernizing the state’s infrastructure. He also underlined a historic $2 billion investment in direct property tax relief – a move that he anticipates will help make New Jersey more affordable. Murphy also shared that the state overhauled its entire offering of economic incentives and noted that incentives should extend to remote jobs as well.
In the area of infrastructure, Murphy listed several projects the state has taken on thanks to a $292 million federal grant. Among them were the completion of a new bridge and improving NJ Transit rail lines. New Jersey is primed to be a leader in offshore wind, according to Murphy, and the state remains a leader in online gaming and sports wagering. Aside from these tangential references, there was no mention of technology in Gov. Murphy’s speech.
Read the governor's speech here.
New Mexico State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 17, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s annual State of the State address praised the progress New Mexico made during her first four years as governor and looked toward a bright future for the Land of Enchantment, but little mention was made of technology. In addition to proposing more economic relief for residents in the form of rebates and tax cuts, Lujan Grisham is asking the Legislature for $146 million in broadband expansion, plus $128 million in water infrastructure improvements. Among other investments in schools, including state-run child care and funding for school kitchens so students are well-fed, the governor discussed boosting special education programs with “data-driven services.”
In other tech-adjacent initiatives, Lujan Grisham noted that New Mexico has doubled its wind energy capacity and authorized community-based solar projects, and she plans to start the $75 million Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund for programs to further protect the environment and address change. She also noted a plan to codify New Mexico’s zero-emissions goal.
Read the governor’s speech here.
New York State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Gov. Kathy Hochul hardly mentioned technology in her “Achieving the New York Dream” speech. The governor said safety is the top priority of her 147-initiative plan. That will be achieved through stronger gun violence prevention laws, as well as making the “largest investment ever” in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination Initiative to help communities hardest hit by gun violence. Hochul also touched on fixing the state’s mental health care system. Her one mention of technology was vague, saying the state will “keep expanding access to technology” to better detect deadly additives in illicit drugs to reverse overdoses.
She announced the New York Housing Compact strategy, with a goal of creating 800,000 new homes over the next decade. To help families in older homes, Hochul proposed a series of policies, called the EmPower Plus program, which will help low-income families retrofit their homes by adding insulation, upgrading appliances, and switching from fossil fuels to clean electric heating systems. She called for all new construction to be zero-emission starting in 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for large buildings.
Read the governor’s speech here.
North Carolina State of the State Address
Address date: March 6, 2023
Stars: 3
To sum it up: North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper mentioned technology several times during his fourth State of the State speech. He first looked to the past with and the state’s creation of its Research Triangle Park in 1959 to the launch of North Carolina’s Biotechnology Center in 1984. From there, he turned to the future, highlighting plans to move toward a global clean energy economy, ramping up production of electric vehicles and their related infrastructure, to embracing a net-zero carbon future. As for specific plans, Cooper mentioned the state’s electric vehicle market growing into a $400 billion global market in just five years, investing more than $2 billion in federal funds to increase residents’ access to high-speed Internet and supporting the state’s Office of Digital Equity and Literacy to ensure “that everyone can get online with affordable devices and good training.” The governor then connected high-speed Internet to healthier communities, noting that someone in a rural area can talk to their doctor much more quickly thanks to a broadband connection that powers telehealth.
Read the governor’s speech here.
North Dakota State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 3, 2023
Stars: 4
To sum it up: Gov. Doug Burgum lauded carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) as an economic driver, deeming the state “the nation’s CCUS proving ground.” North Dakota anticipates being able to store 252 billion tons of CO2 and hitting carbon neutrality by 2030. The state continues to invest in these priorities through its Clean Sustainable Energy Authority and Clean Sustainable Energy Loan Fund. Looking ahead, Burgum said that infrastructure for moving CO2 might later be used for enhanced oil recovery, delivering “carbon-negative oil,” while the stored CO2 itself is “a potentially valuable commodity.”
Burgum also highlighted the importance of offering flexible public education options, including online, and said ARPA funds will support planned broadband expansion to 2,150 un- and underserved addresses. Meanwhile, the state plans to address workforce shortages in part by using matching grants and expanded tax credits to entice industries to adopt automations, while also upskilling and retraining residents “pursuing new opportunities through automation.”
North Dakota research universities are joining universities from four other states in the Regional Technology and Innovation Alliance, which will work to further the development of advanced technologies to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Additionally, the state continues promoting drone use and advancements, including with new investments in Vantis, its air traffic control network for supporting unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flying beyond visual line of sight.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Ohio State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 31, 2023
Stars: 5
To sum it up: Tech-related mentions in the address from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine included pointing to cybersecurity training as one viable option being offered through county career centers. Further, he vowed to invest $300 million for capital improvements and equipment for these centers. And when it comes to industry, the governor lauded electric vehicle-related manufacturing coming to the state from Ford, GM and Honda. And to encourage economic development all over the state, DeWine announced $2.5 billion to prepare manufacturing sites for more growth — which would put every resident of the state within driving distance of a potential new manufacturing site. He also called attention to the state’s three “thriving” innovation centers, where higher education institutions partner with the business community to churn out new STEM talent. There’s more to come on that front: DeWine pledged $150 million to create additional innovation hubs.
Technology figured prominently in DeWine’s discussion of public safety. He first spoke of continued support for equipping law enforcement officers with body cams given their importance in so many recent incidents. Further, he credited predictive technology with helping reduce crime in communities like Westlake and pointed to the data analytics capabilities at the recently created Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, which helps local agencies with drug trafficking investigations. He also pledged to bring next-gen 911 to every community in the state as well as support for interoperable radio systems to advance collaboration between Ohio first responder agencies.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Oklahoma State of the State Address
Address date: Feb. 6, 2023
Stars: 3
To sum it up: With talk of building an innovation economy and embracing the future, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s fifth State of the State address to the people of Oklahoma alluded to tech-related initiatives in terms of their economic necessity. He discussed efforts to diversify Oklahoma’s energy grid and advocated for more spending on infrastructure, including broadband, which he called “critical” to the state’s future. He praised the creation of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, its goal to connect 95 percent of the state by 2028 and the fact that Oklahoma went from being in the bottom 10 states for Internet speeds to being ranked 26th. Stitt said he wants to build the state’s reputation as a hub for drones, aerospace and defense, and called for Oklahoma’s institutions of higher education to work with industry partners to fill jobs at software and aerospace companies. He also called for a new career technical education funding model to start training students at younger ages for careers in cybersecurity or diesel mechanics.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Oregon State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Pennsylvania State of the State Address
Address date: March 7, 2023
Stars: 3
To sum it up: Newly elected Gov. Josh Shapiro touched on technology a number of times in his inaugural budget address. He called for increased investment in creating more energy and tech jobs in the state, specifically stating that he wants Pennsylvania to become home to at least one regional hydrogen hub. He also noted that his budget calls for a 50 percent increase in funding for the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, which brings together state universities and businesses to spur innovation and job creation. The governor pointed to current efforts to improve Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation system, which, like the systems of many states, was overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that they have hired dozens of new employees and are working to upgrade the technology, thus reducing the backlog from 100,000 to 33,000, and called for the investment in that work to continue.
In the realm of public safety, Shapiro asked policymakers to increase funding for the state’s 911 dispatch system, which has remained flat despite increasing costs and workforce shortages. His budget proposes an investment of over $50 million tied to the cost of living so that it will continue to increase. He also called for a sustainable funding source for the nation’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, noting that the state’s 13 call centers need additional support. And he called on the Legislature to eliminate the state cellphone tax, which would save residents $124 million per year.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Rhode Island State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 17, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s State of the State speech was light on mentions of technology. McKee noted that recently passed legislation has Rhode Island on the path to using 100 percent renewable energy by 2033, but he did not elaborate on how. He noted that the state has broken ground on a new health lab and life science facility in Providence. This would help Rhode Island reach its goal of being a hub for bioscience activity. McKee called for doubling down on the progress by making a big investment in the life science sector. Finally, McKee’s last brief note about tech was when he directed Rhode Islanders to a new website for the state’s campaign to clean up litter.
Read the governor’s speech here.
South Carolina State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 25, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: South Carolina’s future is tied to electric vehicles, at least going by the State of the State address from Gov. Henry McMaster. In the part of the speech that focused most on technology, he said that South Carolina needs to keep pace with innovation going on in the automotive industry – a pillar of the state’s economy, an industry whose economic impact tops $27 billion.
“The automotive industry continues moving towards electric vehicles, and South Carolina is moving along with it,” McMaster said, mentioning a 2022 executive order aimed at focusing resources on aggressively recruiting EV manufacturers and suppliers.
He then offered a list of all the projects in the state related to electric vehicles – for the most part, a list of companies making batteries and related materials for those types of cars and trucks. Among the highlights is BMW’s $1.7 billion investment in an electric vehicle factory and a high-voltage battery assembly operation, the “second largest investment in state history,” according to McMaster.
Aside from leaning into electric vehicles, McMaster proposed $78 million in additional funds for workforce scholarships for students interested in careers including computer science and IT.
Read the governor’s speech here.
South Dakota State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem focused much of her State of the State address on recent efforts by policymakers to bring jobs to residents, but offered little in the way of tech-centered state initiatives. However, the governor lambasted the Chinese Communist Party as the “greatest external challenge to the United States” and lauded efforts by states to ban the popular Chinese social media app TikTok in state government. She said by signing an executive order last month banning TikTok, the state began a movement to rein in cybersecurity threats against public officials and their networks.
In addition, she said, state officials plan to release nearly $40 million in federal grants for child-care providers, adding that they’ve held several meetings with providers to give grants for needs ranging from “new technology to startup funds to quality initiatives.”
Read the governor’s speech here.
Tennessee State of the State Address
Address date: Feb. 6, 2023
Stars: 0
To sum it up: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s State of the State speech kicked off his second term in office by talking about the state’s many successes of the past four years, although no direct mention was made of technology. In response to Tennessee’s rapid population growth, the governor introduced the Transportation Modernization Act that, along with expediting transit infrastructure projects, would help ensure that drivers of electric vehicles contribute to road maintenance. He also proposed $3 billion to build roads and maintain highways.
With a goal of training 10,000 new skilled workers annually, Lee wants to make a $1 billion investment in the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, schools that offer computer programming tracks, among other certifications. The governor also proposed building the country’s most accessible park system and investing in clean energy including a $50 million Nuclear Fast Track Fund to attract companies that will build a nuclear ecosystem in Tennessee.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Texas State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Speech Date: Feb. 16, 2023
Stars: 0
To sum it up: Gov. Greg Abbott only briefly touched on technology during this year’s State of the State speech. He highlighted the need for new economic development tools to help businesses and local communities flourish. After that, he pointed to a few of the state’s most recent accomplishments, including passing 14 bipartisan laws that helped strengthen the state’s power grid. Abbott also looked to the future, teasing a soon-to-be-announced $100 billion plan to build out the state’s transportation infrastructure along with plans to “build a grid strong enough to power Texas for the next century.” Lastly, he emphasized the state’s goal of supporting Texans’ success in high-demand industries like technology, health care and energy by rewarding community colleges that produce skilled, employable citizens.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Utah State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 19, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: In a fairly optimistic speech, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox touched on a variety of subjects, including historic drought and past climate action. The speech was the first in Utah’s history to be delivered to both lawmakers and their families, so Cox oriented most of the speech to issues that affect youth or the future.
Part of this focus was the state’s role in regulating social media, with a particular focus on its impact on youth. In that vein, Cox called on the state to take a harder stance in regulating social media platforms. In December, Cox banned the social video app TikTok from state devices, citing the Chinese government’s ability to access data through the app.
Cox also downplayed the effects of technology and curriculum on education outcomes, instead citing teachers’ abilities as the primary driver of student success, potentially signaling the state will focus more on teacher education and recruitment in the future.
Finally, Cox did call on the state to “modernize IT infrastructure” to deliver better services to citizens in the closing lines of his speech.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Vermont State of the State Address
Address date: TBD
Virginia State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 11, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: In his second State of the Commonwealth speech, Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the progress Virginia made in the past year and also pointed to the work yet to be done. While discussion of tech was light, he did note investments in broadband, as well as more traditional infrastructure like roads and railroads. On the heels of an executive order banning China-based apps TikTok and WeChat on state-owned devices, the governor said he’ll also be proposing a bill that prohibits tech companies from selling the data of users under 18 years old.
Elsewhere in his speech, Youngkin mentioned private-sector tech companies like ag tech firm Plenty and drone maker DroneUp that have put down stakes in Virginia. He also praised the Virginia Employment Commission for working through a backlog of 900,000 claims and changes at the Department of Motor Vehicles that made things easier for residents doing business with the agency. Though Youngkin did not mention technology specifically, it certainly played a role in those process improvements.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Washington State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 10, 2023
Stars: 2
To sum it up: Gov. Jay Inslee briefly touched on tech a few times in his State of the State speech. First, he noted that he was happy to get to deliver the speech in person this year after two years of doing so virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also commended state leadership for the progress made on improving broadband access throughout the state during the last two years. Tech came up again when he discussed the state’s progress on climate, as he applauded the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) passed in 2021. The CCA has created opportunities for the state to invest in cleaner transportation, heat pumps, charging stations, hybrid-electric ferries and more green technology for Washington communities.
Inslee also pointed to the ongoing work to implement the state’s new 988 crisis response line. He lauded legislators for investing in designing a system that is more than just a hotline but a “true behavioral health crisis response system,” connecting people with the resources they need. And he also called on the Legislature to protect reproductive rights, emphasizing the importance of protecting patient data and privacy in a post-Roe v. Wade era.
Read the governor’s speech here.
West Virginia State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 11, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice called attention to a plan to greatly expand broadband in the state. In 2021 West Virginia allocated $718 million in government funding toward broadband expansion to connect 200,000 homes and businesses. The public funding plus private investment grew the fund to $1 billion, $548 million of which has been spent so far.
“We're halfway home,” Justice told the West Virginia Legislature on Jan. 11.
The governor also proposed legislation that would have the state’s K-12 public schools post their curriculum online, making it easier for parents and students to see classroom material. Justice also proposed allocating $15 million toward the state’s Hope Scholarship Program, a controversial school voucher project that allows parents to use public school funding to help pay tuition at private schools. The program is being challenged in court.
Read the governor's speech here.
Wisconsin State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 24, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ fifth State of the State address highlighted improvements in the areas of infrastructure, the economy and climate. Evers touted the $340 million the state has invested into expanding high-speed Internet, having connected 387,000 homes and businesses. He hopes to double this number in the term ahead. Along with connectivity, small businesses will also be supported through grant funding and technical assistance.
To address climate change, Evers signed an executive order to establish the new Office of Environmental Justice. In addition, the state’s Clean Energy Plan will help the state’s economy by investing in job training and apprenticeships to train the workforce in new industries and technologies.
To strengthen education, and subsequently, the workforce and general economy, Evers has invested in the university system and technical colleges. He also detailed plans to use the state’s surplus to expand financial literacy curriculum in schools, and to invest in recruiting and retaining educators. He underlined the state’s work to improve access to mental health services in schools and beyond — and underlined the tie between mental health and economic participation.
Read the governor’s speech here.
Wyoming State of the State Address
Address date: Jan. 11, 2023
Stars: 1
To sum it up: Fresh off re-election to a second term, Gov. Mark Gordon's 2023 State of the State address largely steered clear of future goals and instead focused on current work and past accomplishments. These included some large projects, including spending $50 million on water infrastructure in 2022, the state’s first skilled nursing center for veterans and the establishment of a hydrogen hub agreement with Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.
The two times the governor explicitly mentioned technology were when he celebrated the launch of the state’s new 988 suicide hotline, as well as on a legislative push this session to create Ashanti Alert, a missing persons notification system for tribal nations similar to the Amber Alert.
Read the governor’s speech here.
