A few months ago, the Technology Association of Georgia and other thought leaders in the technology community including representatives from Georgia Tech, Morris, Manning & Martin, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Atlanta Technology Angels, the Atlanta CEO Council, and many other key public and private entities distributed a technology policy position whitepaper intended to give insight to the Gubernatorial candidates on the technology community's perspective regarding pressing issues facing the state. Today, the candidates respond.
(The candidates' answers have been listed in rotating alphabetical order.)
Question One: Please share significant experiences you’ve had working with Georgia’s technology community.
Baker
In my capacity as Attorney General I was able to see that Georgians were protected from some of the negative aspects of the internet. I worked to pass the Child Protection Act of 2003, which closed a large loophole in Georgia child pornography laws by creating the crime of Obscene Internet Contact with a Child. Additionally as President of the National Association of Attorneys General, I collaborated with 42 other Attorney Generals to reach an agreement with Craigslist under which the online classified ad website would take action to deter and crack down on inappropriate content and illegal activity.
I have also spent much of this campaign speaking with leaders in the technology community, including TAG. In fact much of my biotech plan was based on what the community was telling me it needed.
Barnes
During my tenure as Governor, working with Georgia’s technology community was one of my top priorities. Shortly after taking office, I unveiled my plan for the Yamacraw Design Center, an initiative that was designed to enhance Georgia’s leadership in the field of electronic design and high-bandwidth communication. Over 1,600 jobs were created through the Yamacraw program, and over 2,000 students graduated from Georgia universities with high-tech degrees related to Yamacraw’s advanced telecommunications research.
Also as Governor, I created the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA), which was designed to be an example of the implementation of high tech best practices throughout state government. I believe the GTA’s objectives are important, but I am concerned that the focus on these objectives has been eroded.
I also worked with the technology community to create the Georgia Cancer Coalition, which was created to bring eminent scholars to the state to conduct cutting edge cancer research to begin building a bioscience and bioengineering infrastructure.
Further, Georgia’s high-technology industry added 3,500 jobs in 2001 when I was Governor, with tech employment reaching 174,200. During my administration, Georgia’s high-tech industry exports represented 17 percent of total exports from the state in 2001.
Deal
The technology industry in Georgia is a significant contributor to the economic development of our state. Having served at both the state and federal levels in elected office, I have had the opportunity to meet with numerous businesses, organizations and educational institutions that seek to grow the technology industry in Georgia. As a U.S. Congressman, my first committee assignment after having taken office was to serve on the House Committee on Science and Technology. I later served as the Chairman and then Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This subcommittee held jurisdiction over several technology-related fields, including medical devices and biotechnology. I concurrently served on the subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet which has jurisdiction over technology-rich industries in communications.
Handel
As CEO of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, I worked closely with a number of technology companies in the recruitment of companies to the emerging North Fulton technology corridor and as an advocate of the companies already in North Fulton. As Chairman of the Fulton County Commission and later as Secretary of State, I continued to work closely with Georgia’s technology companies. Specifically, I led an overhaul of licensing in the Secretary of State’s office, utilizing web-based renewals and moving the agency closer to paperless processing. As a result of my experience, I have a unique understanding among candidates running for governor. I will aggressively pursue policies to leverage our enormous potential to create a state that is a national and international leader in creating 21st century jobs in emerging technologies and sciences.
Johnson
As President Pro Tem of the Senate and a member of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, I was involved in cable deregulation, developing VOIP protocols, and expanding broadband access. I have been very supportive of the work of the Georgia Research Alliance and believe the Eminent Scholar program is an excellent model which should be expanded. I have also taken great interest in the research and development being done all across our state with biomass and believe that research is key to making Georgia the energy capital of the Southeast.
Oxendine
I am proud to have played an active role in the development of telemedicine in Georgia. As Insurance Commissioner, I seized an opportunity to launch the statewide Georgia Telemedicine Program.
Telemedicine not only provides millions of citizens access to high quality health care without forcing them to travel across the state to receive it, but also represents a tremendous economic opportunity for our state. Georgia rolled out the most comprehensive telemedicine network in the country. As a result, we are well situated to become the center of telemedical research and innovation.
Question Two: Do you already have a position on the central issue raised by our group – that Georgia is losing ground as a technology center?
Barnes
Georgia is losing ground as a technology center, and our state’s next Governor must be willing to take the lead in reversing this trend in partnership with the high tech community. It is crucial that we work together to create a culture that values technological innovation and awareness throughout the state of Georgia.
Deal
Georgia has been losing ground in an area that is going to be vital for Georgia to grow out of our financial hardship. Technology-based industries are a key part of my plan for Georgia rejuvenation. This not only means we recruit new businesses but also we must be committed to supporting and fostering new growth within. I believe, in addition to promoting venture capital in our state to fuel development in technology, we must take steps to improve education in our state to produce skilled workers to meet the needs of the industry. I believe Georgia’s technical schools serve a critical role in support of this mission and I will work as your next governor to encourage students to take advantage of available options to improve their education in technology.
Handel
Yes, the evidence that we are losing ground is incontrovertible. Despite Georgia’s many advantages (good transportation network, world class educational institutions, innovative technology incubators like Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, an international airport and our standing as a logistics and transportation hub) we are losing jobs and businesses, especially those in technology and emerging sciences, to neighboring states. Georgia is currently behind our competition and our next Governor must move aggressively to make up the ground. We must create a better environment for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses through the development of a state “Jump Start” fund as well as the aggressive support for incentives such as Angel Investor Tax Credits. Just as importantly, Georgia must develop a real strategy, as part of the state’s economic development plan, for how we are going to support these businesses and the entrepreneurs who take the risks as well as those who invest in them.
Johnson
I have been saying from the very beginning of this campaign that Georgia has many scientific and technological assets that have not been fully utilized. Georgia is poised to be a national leader in research and development. Georgia has unique scientific research and development institutions particularly in the areas of engineering and bioscience. Georgia is home to more than 20 internationally recognized institutions of scientific research and development. These institutions produce new ideas every year. However, Georgia has not yet created the environment necessary to take these ideas off the shelf and turn them into products and services and jobs.
Oxendine
Yes, I do believe we are losing ground. As Governor, I will form a comprehensive “technology crescent” that features public-private partnerships between our stellar universities, state government agencies, and private industry. With such a cooperative agreement, the economic opportunities are seemingly limitless for Georgians. Our universities provide valuable research, but can also develop innovative student employment training programs suited specifically for technology jobs. We must make sure that these programs are given proper funding so that Georgia’s engineering grads can make the transition seamlessly into companies based locally. By ensuring that the many resources we already have in place are utilized effectively in a collaborative fashion, I know we can get there.
Baker
I agree that the lack of progress Georgia has made attracting technology firms has been disappointing and unacceptable. This is a problem that has been ignored for too long by governors from either party. As the home of the CDC, Georgia Tech, Emory University, the Atlanta University Center, and many other educational institutions, there is no reason why Georgia should not be a leader in the technology field. While other states invest in their technological resources, Georgia only slips further behind. We have the potential; it’s time we have a Governor willing to do something about it.
In 2000 Georgia received over $2.3 billion in venture capital funding, but in 2008 Georgia received only $426 million in private venture capital. Today Georgia receives nearly 40% less of the total venture capital investment available than it did in 1997. In the last decade annual venture capital in the state has fallen by over $1.9 billion. This simply cannot continue.
That’s why I’ve outlined my InVest Georgia program. While the program focuses on bio-tech, it can quickly be expanded to all technology companies. The goal of the initiative is to use seed money generated by the sale of future state tax credits to have the seed money to attract private venture capital firms to Georgia. The seed money plus the presence of private funds will dramatically increase the venture capital available to Georgia technology companies.
Question Three: What do you think of our group’s recommendations?
Deal
I think the group’s recommendations fall in line with my economic development plan, “Real Prosperity.” Details on this plan are available on my website at www.dealforgovernor.com or by clicking here.
Handel
I strongly support and subscribe to TAG’s recommendations. As governor I will work closely with TAG, as well as other organizations, that focus on attracting emerging science and technology companies to Georgia.
Johnson
My economic development platform addresses many of the recommendations made by your organization. I have recognized the importance of seed fund and capital and have proposed to finish the job I started in the State Senate in 2007 by having Georgia join the 49 other states and authorize up to five percent of the assets of the Employees Retirement System to be invested in alternative investments. I also am glad the General Assembly passed a tax credit for angel investors and as Governor will actively promote this resource.
To foster connectivity and create a strategy, I have proposed creating a Director of Innovation in the Governor’s Office. The Director of Innovation will be charged with identifying and clearing obstacles to commercializing Georgia-born technology and intellectual property. This Director will be empowered to create a strategy and technology transfer protocol that will be followed by all state agencies and universities to sustain and build Georgia’s science and technology research. By operating from the power of the Governor’s office, a Director of Innovation can identify our strengths and weaknesses and can bring different groups together to strengthen Georgia’s message and image as a great place for technological growth.
Georgia must continue to support the Georgia Research Alliance and the Eminent Scholar Program which are widely recognized as very successful models. But we must take this one step further. We will create a climate where experienced entrepreneurs will stay here or are invited to come to Georgia. Supporting “Eminent Entrepreneurs” is a key to developing and improving the climate in Georgia for investment and entrepreneurship. And Georgia must also look for ways to use our research and development institutions to partner with the research and innovations developed by and used by our armed forces. Georgia’s love and support of the military, coupled with the premier research and development institutions that we have, make Georgia a natural home for the military’s research and development arm.
Oxendine
Leadership is oftentimes done with your ears rather than your mouth, and this is exactly one of those times. I greatly enjoyed meeting with TAG board members several weeks ago and agree that in order to get Georgia’s economy moving again, we must focus on the technology industry within the state.
Baker
I am glad to see TAG is putting forth solid and concrete policy recommendations, and I welcome your continued input. I strongly support TAG’s efforts to promote statewide technological development. Far too often, strategies to encourage private enterprise consist solely of rhetoric. “I support economic growth” is not enough. I am glad to see TAG releasing specific recommendations that provide actual insight and I have dealt with many of them in my policy proposals. For example:
Capital Investments for High-Tech Companies- My InVest Georgia plan is designed to address this critical need, and while it is currently focused on bio-tech companies, there is no reason it cannot be expanded to all technology companies in Georgia.
Broadband Data Improvement- While some consider this issue to have basically been solved, the reality is that there is significant room for improvement. In my upcoming plan for rural Georgia I will outline how we can make sure that we have connected to the last mile statewide.
Math and Science Teachers- There is no question that this is an area of serious concern. The simple reality is our children are simply not as prepared in these fields as their peers around the world. In my BEST Initiative I specifically restore funding to make sure that we have enough qualified math and science teachers in the classroom.
All of my own policy proposals have been formed through collaboration with people and organizations statewide. I always welcome input, suggestions and feedback, and I strive to ensure my proposals are as realistic as possible and can be implemented in a time of severe state budget constraints.
The most pressing problems facing Georgia today cannot be solved by government alone. The public and private sectors must work together, sharing our ideas and proposals, to make Georgia the technological leader it can, should, and will be.
Barnes
The Technology Association of Georgia’s recommendations are correct. I believe that our state can achieve the objectives laid out in TAG’s white paper if we have strong leadership that is willing to make economic development and job creation – particularly in the technology sector – a key priority.
Question Four: As Governor what will you do to create technology jobs in the state?
Handel
First and foremost, I’m will refine and redirect the focuses of Georgia’s approach to encouraging job creation and growth by concentrating on Georgia’s entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses. Georgia has done a very good job attracting existing businesses and creating opportunities for larger businesses to come to Georgia. But, we can do a better job with those businesses that are already here and those entrepreneurs who take the risks to start businesses.
Johnson
I’ve detailed some of my specific proposals to create technology jobs above. But Georgia must also improve other areas in order to attract and retain businesses. Georgia has the right environment for growth. We have lower taxes, a great work force and, as a right-to-work state, companies are not hampered by union demands. However, deficiencies in our infrastructure (water, transportation and data) and in our education system are still barriers for businesses that want to relocate. We must particularly address our public education system if we want to create technology jobs.
Georgia must fundamentally change the way it approaches education in the 21st Century. A vibrant system in which options and opportunities abound will enable all of Georgia’s students to be the best they can be and prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Every child – regardless of income – must have the ability to receive the very best education possible – whether in their neighborhood public school, a charter school, a magnet school, a home school, a virtual school, or a private school. To do that, we must “personalize” their education. We need to build on the success of HOPE and offer new EarlyHOPE Scholarships to all students in grades K-12 to attend the school of their choice. These scholarships would allow parents to use the state’s portion of the funding to help pay for the school that best allows their child to excel.
Oxendine
Angel investing is absolutely key for funding innovative tech companies and consequently creating new tech jobs in Georgia. As Governor, I will monitor the success of the recently passed HB 1069 and be ready to increase the cap on the value of tax credits we allow in a given year if Angel-funded firms produce economic growth in our state.
This bill represents the type of tools our state government can use to help Georgia’s economy get back on track. Angel investing has proven be successful because, in addition to providing access to capital, it brings mentoring and business contacts from investors to help the entrepreneurs. In order to be successful in creating technology jobs in Georgia, government must partner investors with the pioneering businesses and universities here in the state. Georgia has too many first-rate universities and graduating engineers to not have a robust technology sector.
I also believe that in general we need a better business tax environment in Georgia. Please see my Contract with Georgia on my website for more of my ideas for creating a better tax climate.
Baker
The very first piece of policy I released was called InVest Georgia, which has the potential to create 25,000 jobs here in Georgia. We will create the InVest Georgia Venture Capital Fund, which will invest at least $300 million into Georgia businesses. This will lead to a “critical mass” of biotech firms in the state, and will attract more venture capital firms to Georgia. This fund will be financed through refundable tax credits, followed by returns on investment, which will alleviate the startup costs.
Beyond InVest Georgia I have several other plans that I believe will make Georgia the easiest and cheapest place to start a business. I encourage you to read them at http://www.thurbertbaker.com/policy
Barnes
Georgia’s next Governor can play an important role in creating technology jobs in our state. Primarily, they must be willing to work with policy makers to create incentives for technology initiatives that are based in Georgia. If we act now, Georgia can be at the forefront of the technological breakthroughs of the future. Additionally, we can take advantage of our state’s existing educational infrastructure – our public and private research universities – and create a technology hub right here in Georgia, similar to the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.
Deal
I will begin day one working to establish a favorable tax environment for small businesses to create jobs. I will work with groups such as yours to promote and grow the industry, both in terms of business development and education so we have skilled workers ready for jobs.
Question Five: How will you address this issue across Georgia and not just in the metro Atlanta area?
Johnson
As noted in your white paper, Georgia’s technology community is fragmented and clustered. In my view, only the power of the Governor’s office can break down these artificial barriers. I don’t believe any elaborate government infrastructure need be created to do this. But as stated earlier, a Director of Innovation, operating with the direct authority of the Governor, can identify and break down obstacles that exist between all areas of the technology community.
Oxendine
I firmly believe that bringing technology and tech jobs to Georgia is a statewide issue. Savannah, Macon, and Augusta are all major centers of commerce that command attention when tech companies around the state are looking to expand. As Governor, I will work hard towards creating jobs statewide.
Good jobs require access to quality health care. Companies want to locate in an area where the health care needs of their employees will be met. While there are many fine physicians in the rural areas of our state, there has been a real need to additional access to specialists. Telemedicine meets this need by giving rural areas of Georgia access to healthcare specialists and making them more approachable to innovative new industries such as the technology sector. When opportunities for becoming the leader in new and exciting industries present themselves, we cannot hesitate to make sure Georgia takes advantage.
Baker
Georgia’s technology infrastructure goes well beyond Atlanta and as such any plan to address the technology needs of the state must do so as well.
Barnes
We must equip Georgians all across our state – not just in metro Atlanta – to take advantage of the advanced technology job opportunities of the future by making high-tech skills training an educational priority. Technology companies need capable workers, and they are more likely to move to Georgia if we can provide them with a qualified workforce. Over the past several years, budget cuts in our technical and community college systems, as well as in our higher education system, have significantly reduced the field of highly skilled workers in our state. I will reinvest in our higher education and vocational training systems and create a partnership of research universities and technical colleges to ensure that Georgia has the highly skilled workforce that the technology industry is looking for. Additionally, I will work to increase rural broadband penetration, paving the way for greater technological investments throughout Georgia.
Deal
Georgia is uniquely suited to have clusters of different technology disciplines spread throughout the state. Whether it’s the aerospace, agribusiness, energy, medical, logistics, or manufacturing industries, we have the opportunity to create technology jobs in certain parts of Georgia through our structured “tier status” tax credits. The Centers of Innovation positioned throughout the state will ensure strategic industry sectors are given all opportunities to succeed in Georgia.
With the growth of the Georgia Tech campus in Savannah and their joint program with Georgia Southern University, we are preparing graduates in the technology and information technology arena with much greater numbers in a part of the state that has higher tax incentives for job-growth and investment. This can also be said for the promising future of the joint program with Georgia Tech and Emory that involves the development of medical devices just as the Wounded Warrior Program sets up shop at Fort Gordon and will create a need within Georgia for those graduates.
Handel
There are several initiatives that I will pursue as Governor. First, I will aggressively support the creation of a “Jump Start” Fund to provide Georgia’s start-ups and entrepreneurs better access to capital during the critical initial phases of a businesses life. Too many of Georgia’s start-ups are relocating to other states because they are forced to ‘follow’ their investors and investments. These start-ups can provide the best opportunity for job creation and growth, if they are able to stay in Georgia. Second, I am a strong believer in aggressive incentives, like Angel Investor Tax Credits, to encourage investment in Georgia businesses. Third, I will make it a priority to extend broadband connectivity to the entire state, we cannot expect to compete statewide for future technology jobs and even more troubling those areas of the state that are not connected will fall behind. Finally, I will also make education reform - focused on employing 21st Century technology to create a 21st Century workforce - a top priority for my administration. My vision includes on-line instruction available to students of all ages throughout the state.
Question Six: How would you obtain resources to work on this issue?
Oxendine
I believe that Georgia is in a prime position to expand its technology industry. By improving our overall tax environment, we can work to attract and retain tech firms and the jobs associated with them, particularly from higher tax environments such as California.
Beyond simply attracting firms from other locations, Georgia needs to harness its resources and available funding to further establish and grow the tech corridor. Attitude and tone go a long way in attracting business and potential investors to Georgia. As Governor, my administration must focus on creating a great education system, excellent tax climate, and opportunities for job creation in ground-breaking industries such as technology in order to maintain a successful and vibrant economy. I will not care who gets the credit as long as the work is accomplished and Georgia is transformed for the better.
Baker
There is no question Georgia is in an incredibly tough budget environment and promises of new spending mean nothing if there isn’t a way to pay for it. As the Savannah Morning News noted I am the only candidate who “tells where the money will come [from] and how it will be used.”
A good example is my bio tech venture capital fund. Instead of simply issuing bonds or using general revenue, the program will be paid for with refundable tax credits. This allows for the funds to be spent now but pose no obligation to the budget for five years (when the credits can be used), by which point the investments will be yielding both direct profits and indirect increases from the new jobs it creates. Not only will the program have no net cost, but over time it will actually start generating significant revenue for the state.
These tax credits, which won’t start maturing until 2015, would be managed by eligible venture capital firms. Those firms will then sell the tax credits on the open market, using the proceeds to fund the Georgia startups.
I encourage all of you to check out my website’s policy section (http://www.thurbertbaker.com/policy) to see the details I have laid out for all of my plans.
Barnes
Unfortunately, our current state leaders seem to view budgeting as less of an analysis of needs and priorities and more of a blanket "let’s cut everything". But there is a reason beyond the economic climate why the state is in such bad fiscal shape. In 1975, there were five exemptions to the sales tax. Currently, there are over 200 exemptions on the books. Special interest tax cuts are costing the state of Georgia between $400 million and $800 million per year, and as Governor, I will stop these special interest exemptions. We cannot continue to allow our in growth revenue to be eroded as the current administration has done over the past several years.
Deal
I would seek the advice from all groups involved so as to have the most comprehensive strategy for developing and supporting one of Georgia’s key industries for future growth. I hope to build a cohesive working relationship among the groups working to build industry in Georgia so that our prospective strengths become our focus. As your next governor, I will implement zero-based budgeting which will ensure limited state resources are being spent as effectively as possible and supports the goals of job creation and growth in our state.
Handel
The State of Georgia is uniquely positioned to attract and retain a host of emerging high tech and life science ventures to our state in the coming decade. Georgia is home to a number of world-class research institutions including the internationally renowned Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, our state offers a highly skilled workforce, a first-class transportation and logistics system and an international airport that provides rapid global access for researchers and scientists. As governor, I will provide the strategic leadership to ensure the state government plays a constructive role in encouraging the growth of biotech and other technological research related industries in Georgia.
But if we are to become a national and even a global leader, we must provide strong incentives and support to existing businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs. I was the first candidate to propose the creation of an entrepreneurial or enterprise fund to provide much needed capital to the ‘risk-takers’ in our state. Nearly every other state has such a fund and the time has long passed for Georgia to develop such a program.
If we were to dedicate just one-half of one percent of our state pension fund, to this endeavor, we could raise as much as $200M in capital for Georgia businesses and entrepreneurs.
Johnson
I will look to the private sector to find the intellectual resources to develop appropriate strategies. I am meeting people all over Georgia with different skill sets and experience. They are eager to join me in my effort to transform Georgia into a 21st Century economic engine. I will rely heavily on organizations such as TAG to provide advice and recommendations and to assist with legislative efforts.
If you have any questions about this feature, the whitepaper, the group involved in its creation, or the Technology Association of Georgia, please contact Melanie Brandt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have any questions regarding TAG's legislative agenda, please contact Kaylyn Padgett at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We welcome your thoughtful comments below.
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