2019 Governor's State of the State speeches

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Ron DeSantis: Reject loosening law on late term abortions.     Matt Bevin: Latest abortion laws are straight-up infanticide.     Andrew Cuomo: Protect reproductive rights with constitutional amendment.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Repeal outdated criminal abortion laws.     Peter Ricketts: Nebraska is pro-life; my budget is pro-life.

Budget & Economy     Bill Lee: Better to save for emergencies than spend now.     J.B. Pritzker: Time for honest budgeting instead of game-playing.     Mike Dunleavy: Our government spending far exceeds our revenue.     Brian Kemp: Georgians First Commission: more diverse economy.     Laura Kelly: Address financial crisis without new taxes.     Jim Justice: Balanced $217M budget deficit with no new taxes.     Mark Gordon: Define Rainy Day Account for "steady as she goes".     Ned Lamont: No more funny math in budget; balanced for future.     Brad Little: Look for too much spending on autopilot.

Civil Rights     Roy Cooper: Workplace discrimination "bathroom bill" is unacceptable.     Steve Sisolak: Make voting a fundamental right: automatic registration.     Ralph Northam: Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.     Doug Burgum: Fly flags of ND tribal nations at Governor's Office.

Corporations     J.B. Pritzker: State can foster & encourage business in poorer areas.     Tom Wolf: State/private collaboration on economy.     Steve Bullock: Cut red tape and cut business equipment tax.     Tony Evers: Cap corporate credit to pay for tax relief.     Phil Murphy: Incentive programs for business need reform.     Jared Polis: Remove deductions exploited by corporations at our expense.

Crime     Bill Lee: Electronic monitoring for low-risk offenders.     Bill Lee: Volunteer to mentor degree-seeking inmates.     Janet Mills: Expand personnel to fight crime in courtrooms and computers.     Greg Abbott: Crack down on human trafficking.     Tom Wolf: Make it easier for ex-cons to get jobs.     Kevin Stitt: Make it easier for ex-cons to go to work.     Mike Dunleavy: Declare war on criminals.     Brian Kemp: Address the growing threat of gang activity.     Brian Kemp: Give non-violent offenders a second chance at life.     John Carney: Help ex-offenders back into community.     Steve Sisolak: Help inmates ready to go straight.     ACLU: Eliminating cash bail perpetuates racist system.     Andrew Cuomo: Eliminate cash bail.     Andrew Cuomo: Focus on enforcement: $45M for anti-gang operations.     Asa Hutchinson: Give criminals a second chance.     Asa Hutchinson: Increased funding for law enforcement.     Eric Holcomb: Train prisoners to reduce recidivism.     Kim Reynolds: Restore ex-felon voting rights.     Mark Gordon: More funding for local police and sheriff's offices.     Brad Little: Expand community re-entry centers for former offenders.     Charlie Baker: Account for criminal history in dangerousness hearing.

Drugs     Bill Lee: Fight Medicaid fraudulent distribution of opioid medications.     Bill Lee: Drug traffickers should fear Tennessee.     Mike DeWine: Focus on children of drug abusers; and help parents.     J.B. Pritzker: Legal marijuana will raise revenue & create jobs.     Kevin Stitt: Help non-violent offenders: identify roots of addiction.     Mike Dunleavy: More enforcement but also more drug treatment.     Brian Kemp: Deport drug cartel kingpins.     Steve Sisolak: Marijuana industry to be critical part of economy.     Andrew Cuomo: Let's create cannabis industry.     Phil Murphy: Legalize adult-use marijuana; undo past convictions.     Jim Justice: Jim's Dream: job training program for drug addicts.     Jim Justice: Jim's Dream: $10M for equipment at vo-tech training centers.     Jim Justice: Adamantly opposed to recreational marijuana, but medical ok.     Ralph Northam: Think innovatively about treating pain, to avoid opioids.     Ralph Northam: Make marijuana possession a civil penalty only.     Brad Little: Five-year plan to face the scourge of opioid addiction.     Charlie Baker: Four pillars: prevention, education, treatment and recovery.     Chris Sununu: Recovery Friendly Workplaces: help in fighting drugs.     Doug Burgum: Remove shame and stigma from the disease of addiction.

Education     Bill Lee: Fund school choice; competition via charters and ESAs.     Bill Lee: Schools must focus on acquiring job skills.     Bill Lee: Teach civics, with unapologetic American exceptionalism.     Kay Ivey: Invest in Pre-K: now more than 1000 classes.     Ron DeSantis: Invest in higher ed; focus on job skills.     Ron DeSantis: Prioritize attracting and retaining great teachers.     Ron DeSantis: Expand Tax Credit Scholarships for school choice.     Roy Cooper: $8 billion in building or renovating schools.     Roy Cooper: Increased teacher pay before tax cuts for the 1%.     J.B. Pritzker: Universal preschool is educational priority.     Janet Mills: Expand pre-school; pay teachers a living wage.     Janet Mills: Invest $126M in public schools, and $18M for child services.     Greg Abbott: Increase teacher pay, with best earning six figures.     Greg Abbott: Focus on mental health for safer schools.     Tom Wolf: Increase pay for teachers; increase early childcare.     Tom Wolf: Ease student debt if grads stay in Pennsylvania.     Kevin Stitt: Invest in recruiting & keeping teachers.     Kevin Stitt: Prepare students for jobs with career tech.     Steve Bullock: Freeze college tuition; college credit for veterans.     Steve Bullock: 1-2-Free: High school dual enrollment to college.     Gary Herbert: Invest $1B in schools & $30M in counseling.     Gary Herbert: Teach students the value of capitalism instead of socialism.     Larry Hogan: Record high funding for public schools: opportunity for all.     Phil Scott: $1M more for VSAC non-traditional pathways for jobs.     Henry McMaster: ReadySC: triple funding for technical training.     Henry McMaster: Full-time police officer to combat threats to schools.     David Ige: Universal pre-K crucial to education reform.     Tony Evers: $600M to restore special needs funding.     Brian Kemp: Invest in those who educate: keep teacher pay competitive.     Brian Kemp: $69 million in one-time funding for school security grants.     John Carney: Prioritize public education & supporting teachers.     John Carney: Support 700 teachers at high-needs schools.     Laura Kelly: Funding schools top budget priority, this year & every year.     Steve Sisolak: Raise teacher's pay; cover cost of supplies.     Andrew Cuomo: $27B state funding for poor schools via new Equity Formula.     Asa Hutchinson: Invest in tech education & early education.     Eric Holcomb: Early start on career paths in opportunity industries.     Eric Holcomb: $140M to increase teacher pay.     Gina Raimondo: Replace freeze with major investment repairing schools.     Jay Inslee: Apprenticeships & college aid leads to jobs.     Kim Reynolds: Additional $93M to invest in our students.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Raise school salaries; pay for supplies; universal pre-K.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Target aid for Native American & bilingual students.     Phil Bryant: Teachers deserve first pay raise since 2014.     Phil Murphy: Invest in pre-K & free community college.     Doug Ducey: Choice and competition brings about innovation.     Kate Brown: Close opportunity gap and invest in rural education.     Jared Polis: Started two public charter schools for at-risk youth.     Jim Justice: 5% teacher's pay raise, as part of education reform.     Mark Gordon: Wyoming Works: tech education to enable nimble workforce.     Ralph Northam: Pay raise for teachers, to retain the best and brightest.     Ralph Northam: More tuition assistance; protect consumers on student loans.     Brad Little: Invest in public school teacher salary increases.     Gavin Newsom: College without crushing debt for every young person.     Charlie Baker: Update Foundation Formula for urban vs. suburban districts.     Charlie Baker: Added 4,000 seats to vocational and technical schools.     Chris Sununu: NH Career Academies: Opportunities for high school students.     Doug Burgum: Invest in K-12 for our No. 1 resource--our young people.

Energy & Oil     Roy Cooper: Reducing greenhouse gas means green jobs.     Janet Mills: Maine to fight climate change and become green.     Janet Mills: Combat climate change: offshore wind & electric incentives.     Matt Bevin: Stand up for coal; we have hundreds of years of supply.     Gary Herbert: State can set example on green energy.     Larry Hogan: Clean energy; green jobs.     Phil Scott: $1.5M in rebates for 50,000 electric cars by 2025.     John Carney: If Washington won't act on climate change, we will.     Steve Sisolak: Renewable energy makes business sense.     Andrew Cuomo: Green New Deal: help communities closing old power plants.     Jay Inslee: Clean energy means jobs.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Pro-active on climate change: 50% renewable by 2030.     Phil Murphy: Wind farm smarter than drilling for oil.     Jared Polis: Climate change threatens decreased snowpack for ski industry.     Mark Gordon: Coal for decades to come, so let's improve usage.     Mark Gordon: Make Wyoming a leader in advancing carbon sequestration.     Doug Burgum: Lignite (brown coal) is transforming power plant emissions.

Environment     Ron DeSantis: Must be bold in tackling Florida's water problems.     Matt Bevin: Opposes federal regulations like waterway protection.     Phil Scott: Ease regulations: flexibility for forestry & farms.     David Ige: Strong guidelines for environmental protection.     Andrew Cuomo: $2.5 billion in clean water infrastructure.     Gina Raimondo: 66% increase in green jobs--good for business.     Jay Inslee: Imperative to save the Southern Resident orcas.     Doug Ducey: 19-year drought: protect Lake Mead and Colorado River.     Jim Justice: Invest $14M in tourism and revenue comes flying right back.     Jim Justice: $60M upgrade to state parks.     Mark Gordon: Research controlling invasive species at state colleges & UW.     Brad Little: Replenish more water into aquifers than we remove.     Gavin Newsom: The water we drink & the air we breathe hang in the balance.     Chris Sununu: Be smart about environmental policy: look at economics.     Doug Burgum: Innovation--not regulation--solves oil & gas challenges.

Families & Children     Tom Wolf: Early action leads to good jobs.     Mike Dunleavy: Women & children face highest sexual assault rate in nation.     Laura Kelly: Must fix broken foster care system.     Steve Sisolak: Adequately fund women's health care services.     Andrew Cuomo: Pass the Child Victims Act against abuse of minors.     Asa Hutchinson: Reformed child welfare system with faith-based partners.     Eric Holcomb: Levels of Care program: Reduce infant mortality.     Gina Raimondo: Passed paid sick leave; improved child care.     Jay Inslee: Expand early education with 'birth to 3' preschool program.     Phil Bryant: Pro-active on needs of foster children.     Pope Francis: Church cannot remain indifferent to abuse of minors.     Jared Polis: Establish statewide paid family and medical leave program.     Charlie Baker: Reduced caseloads and licensed almost all social workers.     Chris Sununu: Focus on kids in foster care, instead of paperwork.

Foreign Policy     Ron DeSantis: Oppose socialist president of Venezuela; support opposition.     Ron DeSantis: Pro-Israel; take action against boycott.

Free Trade     Phil Bryant: Mississippi is part of global market, from Tel Aviv to Tokyo.     Doug Ducey: USMCA: new trade deal with Mexico means jobs in Arizona.     Jim Justice: Supports tariffs that lead to good deals when dust settles.     Mark Gordon: Level the playing field for oil, gas, and mineral exports.     Mark Gordon: Establish trade offices in Taiwan, Japan, and across Asia.

Government Reform     Tom Wolf: Streamline government; reduce number of state employees.     Kevin Stitt: Reclaim executive powers: more accountable than agencies.     Kevin Stitt: Set aside more of the budget surplus.     Larry Hogan: nonpartisan redistricting reform to end gerrymandering.     Mike Parson: Restructure state government, and save $120M tax dollars.     Andrew Cuomo: Make it easy to vote, instead of voter disenfranchisement.     Asa Hutchinson: Cut outdated regulations and cut government employees.     Jay Inslee: Access to Democracy package: no barriers to suppress voting.     Phil Murphy: Easier voter registration; online voting & early voting.     Doug Ducey: For every new law, repeal three old ones.     Doug Ducey: No legislative immunity: laws apply to lawmakers.     Ralph Northam: Finally allow no-excuse absentee voting.     Brad Little: Revoke two regulations for every new regulation implemented.

Gun Control     J.B. Pritzker: Enforce & enact commonsense gun laws.     Phil Bryant: Protect schools from violence with active shooter drills.     Steve Sisolak: Common-sense gun laws save lives.     Jay Inslee: Acted for common-sense gun-safety where Congress won't.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Prioritize common-sense reforms.     Doug Ducey: Safe Arizona Schools Plan: more cops; more background checks.     Mark Gordon: Disarm students immediately when they bring guns to school.     Ralph Northam: More deaths due to guns than car accidents: so let's act.

Health Care     Bill Lee: Community/faith-based care, not big government.     Bill Lee: Expand funding for mental health treatment.     Ron DeSantis: Against Medicare-for-all; keep private insurance.     Roy Cooper: Accept Federal dollars to expand Medicaid.     J.B. Pritzker: Expand health care but can't do it all at once.     Janet Mills: Medicaid expansion helps everyone.     Janet Mills: Expanding MaineCare helps needy & helps hospitals.     Matt Bevin: Work/school requirements for Medicaid.     Kevin Stitt: Governor should have more control on Medicaid.     Steve Bullock: Medicaid expansion good for business & jobs.     Tony Evers: Healthy Communities Initiative: increase access via Medicaid.     Tony Evers: Exit Obamacare lawsuit; keep pre-existing coverage.     Brian Kemp: Rural counties deserve a patient-centered healthcare system.     Brian Kemp: Don't expand the broken Medicaid system.     John Carney: Need to address high cost of health care.     Laura Kelly: KanCare-based Medicaid expansion to save rural hospitals.     Mike Parson: Expand rural access & mental health needs.     Steve Sisolak: Expand coverage for those who need it.     Andrew Cuomo: Protect ObamaCare coverage of preexisting conditions.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Focus on care, not paperwork.     Phil Murphy: Protected ObamaCare; enacted sick leave.     Kate Brown: Ensure health care for all: expand Oregon Health Plan.     Mark Gordon: Craft a state-led course on healthcare.     Brad Little: Honor the will of the people & implement Medicaid expansion.     Chris Sununu: Medicaid compromise has worked for 50,000 citizens.

Homeland Security     Jim Justice: More programs for National Guard and veterans.     Mark Gordon: Establish Wyoming's first Veterans Skilled Nursing facility.     Ralph Northam: Tuition assistance for National Guard, plus Tech Talent.     Charlie Baker: $200 million rebuild of the Soldier's Home in Chelsea.     Doug Burgum: State income tax exemption on military retirement pay.

Immigration     Ron DeSantis: No sanctuary cities in Florida.     Gavin Newsom: There is no border crisis; the wall is just xenophobia.     Andrew Cuomo: Sued federal government on their family separation policy.

Jobs     Mike DeWine: State can create job opportunities for disabled.     Roy Cooper: NC Job Ready: state helps train students, handle expenses.     J.B. Pritzker: Increase number of minority businesses for state contracts.     Matt Bevin: Right-to-work instead of prevailing wage.     Tom Wolf: State to be pro-active in connecting employers to workers.     John Carney: Investment in new jobs means drop in unemployment.     Mike Parson: Fast Track: scholarships for technical training.     Steve Sisolak: Raise minimum wage from $7.25.     Gina Raimondo: Training for changing job market.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Raise minimum wage from $7.50 to $12.     Peter Ricketts: Developing Youth Talent: connect 7,000 Nebraskans.     Phil Bryant: Apprenticeship program boosts economy.     Phil Murphy: Raise minimum wage to $15.     Doug Ducey: Universal recognition for out-of-state occupational licenses.     Ned Lamont: Better training and support for workers: STEM and vo-tech.     Charlie Baker: Public private partnerships: Over 200,000 jobs created.

Local Issues     Charlie Baker: 50 miles of new gas pipe to fix Lawrence gas explosion.

Principles & Values     Bill Lee: Faith-based & community initiatives better than government.     Phil Murphy: Quality of life more important than tax breaks.

Social Security     Jim Justice: Totally exempt on your Social Security from State income tax.

Tax Reform     Kay Ivey: Cut taxes; reduce government.     Kay Ivey: Increased fuel tax strictly for infrastructure.     Ron DeSantis: Must remain a low-tax state with no income tax.     J.B. Pritzker: Fair income tax to shift burden to the wealthy.     Greg Abbott: Rein in property taxes; they punish families.     Tom Wolf: No new taxes: not one dollar; not one penny.     Gary Herbert: Broaden tax base & cut rates by 64%.     Phil Scott: Increase estate tax exemption from $2.75M to $5.75M.     Henry McMaster: Lower taxes helps us compete: $2.2B tax cut.     Mike Dunleavy: No change in taxes without a vote of the People.     Andrew Cuomo: Good management leads to lower taxes.     Asa Hutchinson: 2-4-5.9 plan: flatten & simplify rates, to spur growth.     Eric Holcomb: Exempt military pensions from state tax.     Peter Ricketts: Ease burden of property taxes; plus 3% local cap.     Jared Polis: Reduces taxes for the hardworking, instead of special breaks.     Brad Little: Inform taxpayers to increase state income tax withholdings.     Chris Sununu: No sales tax; no income tax; not on my watch.

Technology     Kay Ivey: Help black students pursue STEM careers.     Roy Cooper: Public/private team up for rural internet access.     Gavin Newsom: Scale back high-speed rail: Merced to Bakersfield only.     Janet Mills: $2M for broadband; $5M for rural development.     Brian Kemp: Hi-speed internet for Great Recession in rural Georgia.     John Carney: Invest $3 billion in transportation infrastructure.     Mike Parson: Invest $350M in bridges, and $5M internet access.     Asa Hutchinson: Focus on technology education & Innovation Council.     Kim Reynolds: Access to high speed internet is crucial: dedicate $140M.     Michelle Lujan-Grisham: Lift cap on rebates for film production.     Jared Polis: Upgrade antiquated roads & limited public transit options.     Mark Gordon: Improve broadband internet for rural tele-health & more.     Ralph Northam: Ensure universal broadband access.     Brad Little: Adequate broadband infrastructure for both rural & urban.     Brad Little: Cybersecurity Task Force: modernize government data.     Charlie Baker: Over $8 billion on infrastructure for the T.     Doug Burgum: $1.5B for roads, water projects, & airport infrastructure.

War & Peace     Greg Abbott: Help veterans get benefits they've earned.

Welfare & Poverty     J.B. Pritzker: Low minimum wage is sentence to poverty.     David Ige: Lease state land for affordable housing.     Kate Brown: Invest $400M in affordable, accessible housing.     Brad Little: First-Time Home Buyer Account: tax break for young families.     Charlie Baker: Make housing policy with transportation policy in mind.     Doug Burgum: World poverty is down; world health is up; ND will benefit.

Click for quotations from other sources by: ACLU Andrew Cuomo New York Democratic Governor Asa Hutchinson Arkansas Republican Governor Bill Lee Tennessee Republican candidate for governor of Tennessee Brad Little Idaho Republican Brian Kemp Georgia Republican candidate for Governor Charlie Baker Massachusetts Republican Governor Chris Sununu New Hampshire Republican challenger for Governor David Ige Hawaii Democratic Governor Doug Burgum North Dakota Republican candidate for Governor Doug Ducey Arizona Republican Governor Eric Holcomb Indiana Republican candidate for Governor Gary Herbert Utah Republican Governor Gavin Newsom California Democratic Challenger Gina Raimondo Rhode Island Democratic Governor Greg Abbott Texas Republican Governor Henry McMaster South Carolina Republican J.B. Pritzker Illinois Democratic candidate for Illinois Governor Janet Mills Maine Democratic candidate for Maine Governor Jared Polis Colorado Democratic candidate for Colorado Governor Jay Inslee Washington Democratic Washington Governor Jim Justice West Virginia Democratic nominee for governor John Carney Delaware Democratic candidate for Governor Kate Brown Oregon Democratic Governor Kay Ivey Alabama Republican Alabama Governor Kevin Stitt Oklahoma Republican candidate for governor of Oklahoma Kim Reynolds Iowa Republican Larry Hogan Maryland Republican Maryland Governor Laura Kelly Kansas Democratic candidate for governor of Kansas Mark Gordon Wyoming Republican candidate for governor of Wyoming Matt Bevin Kentucky Republican Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham New Mexico Democrat Mike DeWine Ohio Republican candidate for Governor Mike Dunleavy Alaska Republican candidate for governor of Alaska Mike Parson Missouri Republican candidate for governor of Missouri Ned Lamont Connecticut Democratic Candidate for governor Peter Ricketts Nebraska Republican Governor Phil Bryant Mississippi Republican Governor Phil Murphy New Jersey Democratic 2017 Gubernatorial nominee Phil Scott Vermont Republican challenger for Governor Pope Francis Leader of the Catholic Church Ralph Northam Virginia Democratic 2017 Gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis Florida Republican candidate for governor Roy Cooper North Carolina Democratic 2016 Gubernatorial candidate Steve Bullock Montana Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak Nevada Democratic candidate for Nevada Governor Tom Wolf Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Tony Evers Wisconsin Democratic candidate for governor of Wisconsin