From Site Selection magazine, November 2000
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Colorado
Following a theme sweeping the country, Colorado passed landmark growth management legislation this year as it sought to put the brakes on urban sprawl and the effects of over-development in high-growth corridors. Gov. Bill Owens signed six such bills on May 24 and announced the creation of the Governor's Commission on Saving Open Spaces, Farms and Ranches. "These bills represent an important step to ensure Colorado grows in a way that protects our quality of life," he said. "They address some of Colorado's most pressing growth issues: better planning for growth, urban in-fill rather than sprawl, creation of more affordable housing and open space protection."
HB 1427 leads the way by establishing the Office of Smart Growth in the Dept. of Local Affairs to coordinate the state's effort to assist local communities in better planning for growth. HB 1001 complements the other bill by providing additional criteria that may be used in local government master plans. "Better land-use planning is critical for smart growth, and both these bills provide local governments with tools for better planning," Owens said.
The growth management package also provides a state income tax incentive of up to $100,000 for the redevelopment of urban areas once used for commercial or industrial development, provides a state income tax credit for developers who build low-income rental housing and provides additional incentives for taxpayers who donate conservation easements on their own land.
Governor: Bill Owens (R) 303-866-2471
Improving infrastructure and preserving open space were themes of the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) this year. Gov. John Rowland signed into law a number of bills passed by the CGA dealing with education, transportation and growth management. A $316 million school construction program topped the list, as the governor approved the use of surplus funds to build badly needed school facilities around the state. In addition, the State Bond Commission in May approved the use of another $105 million for public school construction. On transportation infrastructure, the governor and CGA agreed to spend $35 million to improve rail service on the New Haven Line, an expenditure designed to reduce traffic congestion by 5 percent in southwestern Connecticut.
On specific economic development projects, the state authorized $53 million for the Adriaen's Landing urban redevelopment effort in downtown Hartford and the University of Connecticut football stadium in East Hartford. The governor also authorized $15 million for phase two of the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.
To improve quality of life in Connecticut, Rowland approved $15.3 million to improve state parks and acquire open space. The State Parks 2010 plan seeks to restore all state parks over a 12-year period.
Governor: John G. Rowland (R) 1-800-406-1527
Gov. Thomas Carper signed legislation this year to promote e-commerce, preserve farmland and improve Delaware's public schools. House Bill 492, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, provides the legal framework for using digital signatures and enforceable electronic contracts. "The fundamental purpose of this act is to remove the perceived barriers that exist with electronic commerce," said Carper. "Delaware is further laying the groundwork for e-commerce, and this legislation ensures that electronic transactions are treated legally on a par with paper transactions." This could include transactions such as bank loans, insurance contracts and mortgages.
Delaware also continued its trend of protecting farmland from development. The governor signed a bill that added another 18,000 acres (7,290 hectares) to the state's preservation program. Some 4.3 percent of all land in Delaware now is protected by such legal action. On the schools initiative, the General Assembly passed the Educator Accountability Act, which provides both greater resources and greater accountability for the state's public school teachers. The bill, signed by the governor, provides supports like education technology, school discipline programs and greater investment in textbooks and other classroom materials.
Governor: Thomas Carper (D) 302-739-4101
Tax cuts, road improvements, education reform and streamlined permitting were all themes of Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature this year. On May 30, the governor signed into law a $51 billion state budget that cut taxes by $500 million while providing a record $868 million increase in K-12 school funding and an historic transportation package that funds more than $4 billion in road and bridge improvements over a 10-year span. The tax cut package, worth $5 billion in tax savings over four years, benefits businesses by reducing the intangibles tax for a second year in a row. Businesses will also benefit from Mobility 2000, the road-building program designed to relieve urban congestion, expand hurricane evacuation routes and open up new corridors of commerce for Florida's rapidly growing economy.
Streamlined permitting comes in the form of Senate Bill 662, which creates a One-Stop Permitting Internet System Web site. The Dept. of Management Services will provide links to state agencies for environmental permit information in two phases. The law creates incentives for developers to submit environmental permit applications via the Internet by providing a temporary fee waiver and reducing the application processing timeframes by one-third.
Bush also signed into law House Bill 2123, creating the Information Service Technology Development Task Force, and Senate Bill 80, the Commerce Protection Act. The House bill will aid the private sector development of advanced communications networks and information technologies in Florida.
In other action affecting developers, the governor appointed a Florida Growth Management Study Commission headed by Orange County Commission Chairman Mel Martinez of Orlando. The panel will hold hearings over the next six months and recommend changes to the state's Growth Management Act at next year's Legislative Session.
Governor: Jeb Bush (R) 850-488-2272
Gov. Roy Barnes saw the major provisions of his economic development package passed by the Georgia House and Senate. House Bill 1509 provides enhancements to Georgia's economic development incentive legislation by raising the business tax credit for most counties, lowering some of the thresholds to qualify for the credit and giving more flexibility in how the credit can be used. House Bill 1510 exempts machinery repair and replacement parts used in the manufacturing process from the state sales tax. The exemption will be phased in over five years. The bill also provides an exemption for computer purchases totaling more than $15 million by high-tech companies. The bill further offers a sales tax exemption on equipment used in "clean rooms," which are used to manufacture computer chips.
Barnes also announced on March 9 that Irvine, Calif.-based Broadcom Corp., a leading provider of broadband digital transmission solutions, had become a member of the Yamacraw Design Center. Through this partnership, Broadcom will commit to create 100 broadband communications development jobs in Georgia over the next five years. Yamacraw is a state-funded initiative aimed at bringing high-tech jobs to Georgia and enhancing the state's leadership in the field of electronic design for broadband communication technology. The Yamacraw Design Center serves as the focal point for Yamacraw's multi-agency economic development effort.
Governor: Roy Barnes (D) 404-656-1776
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