Political Quotes

“High-technology jobs are high-wage jobs. I have seen the benefit of the creation of high-technology jobs in my State, but these jobs are still a small percentage of all the jobs created in South Dakota. Despite its small size, I doubt South Dakota is any different from other States in terms of jobs creation. I have heard my colleagues state that S. 4 will create jobs. What I have not heard discussed is how many jobs will be created. The high-technology sector is promising, and has created well-paying jobs. Whether spending $2.8 billion over 2 years will generate a significant number of high-technology or manufacturing jobs is still, in my mind, a big question mark. Almost $3 billion may not impact significantly the trend of manufacturing jobs as a percentage of non-farms jobs since 1961. By focusing on so-called critical technologies, we are rewarding specific sectors of our economy with Government incentives. The McKinsey study indicated that the United States has a worldwide edge in the food processing industry--not an industry identified as being a critical technology. It is, however, an industry of interest and importance to agricultural States.”