Governor's State of the State speeches, early 2000s: on Government Reform


George Pataki: Governing philosophy: active but limited government

My governing philosophy has been shaped by many forces--my proudly American working class family, my small-town Hudson Valley upbringing, the tumultuous period during which I went to school, my appreciation of history and my experience in government have all played a role in shaping the principles that continue to guide my actions as your governor.

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.

Source: State of the State address to 2006 New York Legislature Jan 4, 2006

George Pataki: Reform lobbying laws for more restrictions & disclosure

This session, I will advance a comprehensive agenda that will make this government more effective, more efficient and more accountable to the people of New York. Let's begin with seven major goals.
  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.
Source: State of the State address to 2005 New York Legislature Jan 5, 2005

  • The above quotations are from Early 2000s Governor's State of the State speeches.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Government Reform.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Christie Todd Whitman on Government Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Tommy Thompson on Government Reform.
Candidates and political leaders on Government Reform:

Gubernatorial Debates 2020:
DE: vs.Carney(incumbent) vs.Williams(D)
IN: vs.Holcomb(incumbent) vs.Melton(D) vs.Myers(D)
MO: Parson(incumbent) vs.Galloway(D) vs.Neely(R)
MT: Bullock(retiring) vs.Fox(R) vs.Perry(R) vs.Gianforte(R) vs.Stapleton(R) vs.Olszewski(R) vs.Neill(D) vs.Schreiner(D) vs.Cooney(D) vs.Williams(D)
NC: Cooper(incumbent) vs.Forest(R) vs.Grange(R)
ND: Burgum(incumbent) vs.Coachman(R) vs.Lenz(D)
NH: Sununu(incumbent) vs.Volinsky(D) vs. fsFeltes(D)
PR: Rossello(D) vs.Garced(D) vs.Pierluisi(D)
UT: Herbert(retiring) vs.Huntsman(R) vs.Cox(R) vs.Burningham(R) vs.Newton(D) vs.Hughes(R)
VT: Scott(incumbent) vs.Holcombe(D) vs.Zuckerman(D)
WA: Inslee(incumbent) vs.Bryant(R) vs.Fortunato(R)
WV: Justice(incumbent) vs.Folk(R) vs.Thrasher(R) vs.Vanover(D) vs.Smith(D) vs.Ron Stollings(D)
Gubernatorial Debates 2021:
NJ:
Murphy(D) vs.Ciattarelli(R)
VA:
Northam(D,term-limited) vs.Herring(D) vs.Chase(R) vs.Fairfax(D)

Gubernatorial Debates 2019:
KY:
Bevin(R) vs.Goforth(R,lost primary) vs.Adkins(D,lost primary) vs.Beshear(D) vs.Edelen(D,lost primary)
LA:
Edwards(D) vs.Rispone(R) vs.Abraham(R) vs.Kennedy(R,declined)
MS:
Bryant(R,retiring) vs.Foster(R) vs.Hood(D) vs.Reeves(R) vs.Waller(R)
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Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021