George Pataki in Governor's State of the State speeches, early 2000s

On Health Care: Take decisions out of the hands of government bureaucrats

This new approach, and the innovative new programs we've enacted have improved the delivery and quality of health care across our great state. Today, over a million more New Yorkers have access to quality comprehensive health care, more seniors than ever before have prescription drug coverage, and four times as many children are covered by Child Health Plus.

This session, let's give even more seniors and their families access to a wider variety of long-term care options. And as we tend to our oldest New Yorkers, let's also ensure that our youngest get their lives off to a healthy start.

On Budget & Economy: Slash job-killing regulations & cut taxes too

• Together, we've re-tooled our criminal justice system from top to bottom and turned New York from one of the nation's most dangerous states into the safest large state in America.

• Together, we've led the nation in cutting taxes, and put the money back into the pockets of working families, because after all, they know how to spend it best.

• Together, we've slashed job-killing regulations and strengthened our businesses' freedom to compete nationally and globally.

• Together, we've sown the seeds for tomorrow's economic prosperity by establishing Centers of Excellence to spur the innovations and investments that will make New York a powerhouse in the emerging global high-tech economy.

• Together, we've transformed the welfare system and in turn empowered more than one million New Yorkers to break out of the tragic cycle of dependency.

On Corporations: We cut taxes 81 times; cut taxes on businesses once again

Let's help family farms and small businesses, and allow our seniors to spend their golden years in New York with their families and friends by eliminating the estate tax. Let's cut the income tax rate that most New York families pay, and grant even greater financial freedom to families all across New York State. And let's cut taxes on businesses once again and give New York's employers even greater freedom to grow and create jobs.

On Crime: People must be held accountable for their actions

• I believe that government's fundamental purpose should be to empower the people we serve--to enact the policies that create opportunity and unleash the enormous creativity, industry and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize New Yorkers.

• I believe a government has no greater responsibility than the safety and security of its citizens and that people must be held accountable for their actions.

• I believe that we have a moral responsibility to help those who truly need our help, and also to leave our next generation a natural environment that is cleaner and better protected than we found it.

• I believe that government should not simply hand people a living, but it must ensure that they have every opportunity to earn one for themselves.

• I believe in a government that works tirelessly to preserve and uphold the freedom of its citizens and takes great care in ensuring it never impinges upon it.

On Education: Expand charter schools throughout the state

Let's give middle school students an academic boost--let's provide them with new math and science summer programs at our community colleges all across the Empire State. Together, let's make a New York education an invaluable competitive advantage for our next generation.

On Energy & Oil: Reduce expensive, polluting, terror-promoting foreign oil

Not just here in New York, but across the nation, our reliance on foreign oil is hampering the financial freedom of our working families and their employers; it is hurting our economy, damaging our environment and enriching regimes that support, harbor and encourage the terrorists who threaten our national security.

On Energy & Oil: Make renewable fuel tax-free, for mass transit & cars

Later this session, I will propose a plan to jumpstart a new era of statewide availability and use of renewable fuels--ensuring that more of our energy dollars stay right here in New York. It begins with an initiative to make renewable fuels available at service stations all across the state, starting with the N.Y.State Thruway.

And then, it goes a step further, by making that renewable fuel tax-free throughout the entire State of New York. This plan will also provide for the establishment of refineries that make ethanol out of agricultural products from our farms and wood products from our northern forests.

On Environment: Preserve & enhance our natural treasures for future

I saw our next generation of New Yorkers enjoying a wealth of wondrous natural treasures--preserved, protected, and enhanced for future generations to cherish.

Together, we've secured an inheritance of nearly one million acres of protected open space for the next generation of New Yorkers and a Hudson River that is far cleaner and more vital than when we found it.

On Families & Children: Prevent release of sexual predators into our neighborhoods

Our goal must be nothing less than to provide our children and families with every possible protection from sexually violent predators. This year I will again send you a bill aimed at preventing the release of these predators into our neighborhoods.

On Free Trade: Invest in math & science innovation to compete with China

This summer I embarked on a trade mission to China to explore opportunities for partnership and investment and to see first hand the dynamics behind the world's fastest growing economy. China has recognized that tomorrow's economic power will be driven by innovation. Accordingly, they are making huge advancements in education--particularly in the areas that will be most in demand in tomorrow's economy--math and science. In 2004, 6 million Chinese students competed for a spot in the worldwide Intel Science and Engineering Fair. Here in the United States, just 65,000 students competed. It is clearly time to realign our educational priorities to meet the ever-changing demands of the 21st century.

On Government Reform: Governing philosophy: active but limited government

I believe in active but limited government--a government that is engaged and effective, but never intrusive or over-reaching: a government that works vigorously and diligently to identify problems and then creates opportunities for people to solve them; a government that staunchly protects its citizens' freedom to work, live and raise their families yet never dictates how they should do so.

These are the precepts that have guided me for the past 11 years--they are the essence of the policies and initiatives I have advocated and advanced throughout my tenure as New York's Chief Executive.

On Tax Reform: Eliminate the marriage penalty & cut taxes

If our goal is to position New York State to thrive in the face of evolving global competition, our fight to cut taxes must continue. This year, I will send to you a pro-family tax cut program--a series of measures that will reduce the tax burden on working families, stimulate the economy and foster the competitiveness that will attract even more investment and jobs to New York. Let's completely eliminate the marriage penalty to encourage rather than penalize marriage in New York State.

On Technology: Support Empire Innovation and Centers of Excellence

Working with our vastly improved SUNY and CUNY schools, we'll create a new Empire Innovation program that will attract even more top-flight researchers and the federal grant dollars they bring with them.

And let's go even farther. Our Centers of Excellence are the envy of states from coast to coast--and have already attracted over $8.5 billion in new investment, and are propelling New York toward a future as a global leader in university-based research, high-tech business creation, and job development.

Last year the federal government and the nation's semi-conductor industry announced a collaborative initiative that will result in two new state-of-the-art research facilities to drive the computer chip breakthroughs of the future--one right here in New York's Tech Valley.

On Technology: Make NY the center for clean, renewable energy research

The entire world is now grappling with the question "where will we get the energy to power the global economy of the 21st century without causing irreparable damage to our natural environment?" Let's make New York the place where that defining question is answered. Let's make New York the worldwide center for clean, renewable energy research, product development and job creation. Let's attract companies from around the world that are developing the clean, renewable energy sources of the future--let's make the entire state a tax free zone for this growing industry.

On War & Peace: Honor soldiers destroying terrorist insurgency in Iraq

We owe our utmost gratitude, respect and admiration to all of our courageous soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines--the men and women who serve so bravely and well in the global war on terror. These heroic citizen soldiers left their families and careers behind to heed their nation's call to duty. They served in some of the most volatile areas in Iraq as they endeavored daily to seek out and destroy the terrorist insurgency, so that democracy could take root and thrive in that embattled nation.

On Crime: Abolished parole for violent felons

By fighting for "bold, sweeping, fundamental change" to our criminal justice system. We instituted the death penalty. We abolished parole for violent felons.

We gave police new tools like DNA technology to help them get criminals off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. We passed 108 new laws that toughened penalties or closed criminal-friendly loopholes.

On Crime: Operation IMPACT: focus police in high crime upstate cities

And this year, Rochester, the first IMPACT site, has experienced 1/3 fewer murders, including a 66% drop in murders of our most at-risk population--young African American men. The "bold, sweeping, fundamental changes" we enacted together have saved lives and made New Yorkers safer. But we can do even more, and we will

Today, I am proud to announce Operation IMPACT II, which will expand the program within the original IMPACT counties, add 100 more State Troopers to this effort, and bring new IMPACT operations to other parts of the State.

On Environment: Majestic Hudson flows cleaner than it has in generations

We chose to take a fundamentally different approach to environmental conservation, and by working together over the last decade we've made New York a national leader. We've reclaimed industrialized waterfronts across the State, transforming them from forgotten dumping grounds into the proud gateways of our communities.

We've dedicated more resources to cleaning-up and protecting the environment than ever before, including our $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act. Today, the majestic Hudson flows cleaner than it has in generations.

On Free Trade: Focus on in-sourcing foreign companies back to New York

Last year, I set an ambitious goal--to create jobs for a million more New Yorkers by the end of this decade. An ambitious goal--suitable for an ambitious people. Since last year, we've made steady progress.

On Government Reform: Reform lobbying laws for more restrictions & disclosure

1. Let's reform our state's lobbying laws. Last year, I signed an Executive Order requiring all State agencies and authorities to publicly disclose information on procurement lobbying for the first time ever. This year, let's work together to enact legislation imposing a smart and effective ban on procurement lobbying.
2. I will also advance legislation to impose a ban on all gifts from lobbyists. This simple but vitally important step would help to reinforce public trust in the government process itself.
3. Let's continue making bold reforms and improvements at our public authorities.
4. I will sign a new Executive Order establishing a new, broadly inclusive Commission on Public Authority Reform.

On Technology: Terrorism III package: cyber-terrorism and agri-terrorism

Finally, we will redouble our efforts to ensure that federal homeland security funds are concentrated on the areas under the greatest threat--and that means New York City, the world's greatest symbol of freedom and prosperity.