George W. Bush in Governor's State of the State speeches, late 1990s


On Education: Commit funds to education and tax cuts

We can show Washington how to handle a budget surplus. During times of plenty, we must not commit our state to programs we cannot afford in the future. We must meet basic needs, dedicate the lion’s share of new money to public schools, then send money back to the hands who earned it - the taxpayers of Texas. Tomorrow, I will submit a budget that is balanced and limits government’s growth. It reflects my two major priorities: school children and taxpayers.
Source: (Cross-ref from Budget & Economy) 1999 State of the State Ad Jun 14, 1999

On Abortion: Parental notification for minors

No matter where you stand on this next issue, I believe we all want to reduce the number of abortions in Texas. I look forward to working. to pass a bill to involve parents in this major medical decision for their minor daughters.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Budget & Economy: Commit funds to education and tax cuts

We can show Washington how to handle a budget surplus. During times of plenty, we must not commit our state to programs we cannot afford in the future. We must meet basic needs, dedicate the lion’s share of new money to public schools, then send money back to the hands who earned it - the taxpayers of Texas. Tomorrow, I will submit a budget that is balanced and limits government’s growth. It reflects my two major priorities: school children and taxpayers.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Crime: Track gangs; enact automatic sentencing

An excellent quality of life means safe neighborhoods. So I propose giving law enforcement the tools to fight the menace of gangs: a spotlight program to focus on violent juveniles, a statewide database to track gang activity across Texas and automatic jail time for juveniles who commit crimes with guns.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Education: Supports trying charter schools and vouchers

Let’s show Texas is not afraid to change and innovate. During the last four years, we have provided new outlets for educational entrepreneurs - charter schools, open-enrollment campuses, public school choice. These bold experiments have shown that parent from all walks of life are hungry for a better education for their children. I know there’s a huge debate raging, but we must not trap students in low-performing schools. It is time to see if it works: Let’s try a pilot voucher program.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Energy & Oil: Reduce emissions from old plants

“I believe business and a healthy environment can co-exist. I look forward to working with Senator Buster Brown and Representative Ray Allen on legislation to make our Texas air cleaner by significantly reducing emissions from older grandfathered plants.“ [“Grandfathered plants” are those which are exempt from emission standards because their emissions preceded the laws which restrict pollution.]
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Families & Children: Enforce child protection and child support

Our youngest Texans need our help. Last year, 176 children were killed by abusive parents or caretakers. For every one who dies, countless others suffer in anonymity. This breaks my heart. I urge you to increase funding so our child protection agency can hire 380 new caseworkers to rescue children before they become a tragic statistic. The early years are critical ones, so I ask you to support the First Lady’s early childhood initiative and to give our Attorney General more tools to enforce child sup
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Free Trade: Support NAFTA by improving Mexican border

I will continue to be a strong advocate for free and fair trade with Mexico. NAFTA is good for Texas and good for Mexico. I will work with the federal government and the Texas Department of Transportation to improve infrastructure along our border.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Tax Reform: Eliminate certain sales and property taxes

Texas knows how to fund our priorities, balance our budget and cut taxes. I will propose consumer sales tax cuts to eliminate taxes on diapers, over-the-counter medicines and access to the Internet. I propose a small-business tax cut to provide relief to the small entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our state’s economy. I propose a research-and-development tax credit to foster innovation and keep Texas on the leading edge of new technology. Finally, I will propose a $2 billion property tax cut.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Welfare & Poverty: More assistance for transition off welfare

Those who remain on welfare [need] this clear message: If you are able to work or train, you must work or train. And if you refuse to help yourself, then Texas cannot help you. For those who are working to win their independence, the state can do more to help. I propose increased child care funding for low-income mothers; transition benefits to help those moving from welfare to work and second chance homes to help unwed teenage moms nurture their children in a safe and structured environment.
Source: 1999 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 27, 1999

On Crime: More searches and less parole for criminals

Give police.a law that says to juveniles who have been convicted of a violent crime, “Our police have the right to stop and frisk you to make sure you are not carrying a gun.” Keep violent criminals behind bars longer. Last session, we repealed mandatory release for violent criminals. This session, we should broaden the law to apply to [all] violent criminals and sex offenders, no matter when they were sentenced. I do not believe violent criminals have a constitutional right to get out of jail early.
Source: 1997 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 28, 1997

On Tax Reform: Reduce homeowner property taxes

Local property taxes are the major source of funding for our schools, and they should not be. The Property Tax Cut Act will cut school property taxes for the average Texas homeowner by 40%. I propose a constitutional amendment to increase the homestead exemption for school property taxes by $20,000 from the current $5,000 to $25,000. I also propose a twenty-cent cut in the school property tax rate in every school district in Texas. [And] we must enact strong safeguards against property tax creep.
Source: 1997 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 28, 1997

On Tax Reform: Replace corporate property tax with sales tax

I propose we eliminate the corporate franchise tax and the school property tax on business inventory and replace them with a fair, broad-based Texas Business Tax -- a 1 1/4 percent tax on sales over $500,000, less cost of goods and less capital invested. The rate is low and should apply to all forms of business. To fund the balance [of school revenues lost from the business tax cuts], I propose a half-cent increase in the sales and motor vehicle tax.
Source: 1997 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 28, 1997

On Welfare & Poverty: Limit benefits and require work

We put time limits on benefits, required work and education.. We’ll give you a hand, but you owe something in return for taxpayers’ help. We should require unmarried teen mothers to live with their parents or in a group home to qualify for taxpayer assistance. We should not give additional cash benefits for having more children while on welfare. We must enforce sanctions against able-bodied welfare recipients who refuse to work or even look for work.
Source: 1997 State of the State Address, Austin TX Jan 28, 1997

On Crime: Stop endless delays on death row

Many adult criminals are beyond rehabilitation. It is our obligation to keep them behind bars and away from our schools and our communities. I commend. proposals to stop the endless legal delays for death row inmates. Death row inmates are entitled to a fair hearing, but their appeals must be streamlined so justice is swift and sure.
Source: 1995 State of the State Address, Austin TX Feb 7, 1995

On Crime: Mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders

Texans have made it clear they want the most violent criminals to serve their full sentences. We must put a stop to the mandatory early release program that lets criminals out even though the parole board says no. Texas must increase penalties for criminals who assault law enforcement officials and give judges and juries more discretion in sentencing criminals. Drug dealers and other repeat offenders should face the prospect of hard prison time if they continue to flaunt the law.
Source: 1995 State of the State Address, Austin TX Feb 7, 1995

On Crime: End frivolous lawsuits; cap damages

Texas must end the frivolous and junk lawsuits which clog our courts, threaten producers, and delay justice for the deserving.I have declared tort reform an emergency
Source: 1995 State of the State Address, Austin TX Feb 7, 1995

On Education: “Home rule” with state standards

“Home Rule Education Districts” [allows] any school district which so chooses. to declare itself free from any state mandate. So long as the district meets state standards, the local people should be free to chart the course to educational excellence. The state has a role, but it is not to micromanage local districts. The state should set high standards and hold teachers and administrators accountable for results. Our measuring system should be stable and open for review.
Source: 1995 State of the State Address, Austin TX Feb 7, 1995

On Families & Children: Suspend licenses if child support is unpaid

Texas must hold parents responsible for supporting their children.We should require mothers to identify the fathers of their children before receiving welfare benefits.We should suspend licenses issued to those who do not pay court-ordered child support: driver’s license, doctor’s license, lawyer’s license and even hunting & fishing licenses. Skeptics say, “Governor, if you take away our licenses, we won’t be able to earn a living to pay child support.” To those parents, I have a simple response: Pay up.
Source: 1995 State of the State Address, Austin TX Feb 7, 1995

The above quotations are from Late 1990s Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts from Late 1990s Governor's State of the State speeches.
Click here for other excerpts by George W. Bush.
Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021