This position paper of the United Faculty of Florida argues that the state of Florida must become more active in the informational economy of the nation and the world or become a low-wage, semi-colonial area in servitude to centers of "informationalism." The paper begins by examining the economies of America and Florida. Next, the paper discusses high-technology's role in Florida's economy and this is followed by a discussion of how state universities can help to offset what are seen as Florida's disadvantages in drawing high tech firms to operate within its borders. One successful high technology related research center in Orlando, Florida is described as a model for what the state needs to establish in other areas. Next, the need to have greater numbers of Florida students graduating in more rigorous scientific and technical fields is addressed, as well as the state's need for more federal research and development funding. Discussion then turns to the educational role of the University of Florida and the role of Florida State University's Supercomputing Computation Center in advancing the state's needs in high tech development, as well as the development of high technology clusters. Finally, the paper examines the organizing of jobs through these research centers. Contains an 89-item bibliography. (GLR)