Governor Janet Napolitano touted the recommendations of her technology council in her State of the State Address yesterday at the Capitol.

She said she plans to implement the strategy drafted by the Governor's Council on Innovation and Technology, which includes needed legislation to establish early stage and venture capital investments.

"We must invest in these high-tech sectors and in our rural economies, to ensure growth in the number of high-paying jobs in Arizona," she said. "My legislation will help us do that, and it will not require money from the General Fund in 2005."

She mentioned that 20 states have made similar investments, and that Arizona must follow to remain competitive.

Napolitano also touched on two major achievements from 2003--successful legislation to construct $400 million in university research facilities, and the passage of a bill to refer a constitutional amendment to the Arizona voters regarding technology discoveries at the universities. The measure, on the November ballot, would allow the universities to take equity positions in companies stemming from their research discoveries.

"I am confident the voters will agree that this constitutional amendment is good for Arizona," she said.

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For more information:

"Governor highlights education; business leaders rally around Napolitano call for investment," Arizona Republic, 01/13/04

"Governor urges state to fund small high-tech companies," Tucson Citizen, 01/13/04

Text of State of State Address