Bob Taft in 2001 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Keep budget balanced without new taxes; hold spending

To balance the budget without new taxes. We’ve done that.
To hold the line on spending for overhead and reduce the size of the bureaucracy. We’ve done that.
And finally, and most importantly, to invest 50 percent of all new spending in education at all levels. I’m proud to report we’ve done that, too!

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Drugs: Enact more laws to fight methamphetamines

A danger is menacing our children. Whatever you call it - meth, ice, or crank - methamphetamines have many street names but a single result - lives destroyed. Law enforcement officials are seizing record amounts of meth, and seeing an alarming surge in the number of labs that produce it. So today, I ask you to join me in enacting laws to fight this illicit drug and to attack these toxic labs. We will not allow this drug to destroy more lives in Ohio! Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Education: Implement system of standards, assessments & accountability

The first building block is “The Measure of Success.” When fully implemented, Ohio will have a system of standards, assessments and accountability that ranks among the best in the nation!
“Preparing for Success” is the second building block. Early childhood education and health care will enable every child to enter school ready to learn.
The third building block is “Classrooms Equipped for Success.” Our 12-year, $10 billion plan [is ensuring] that every child goes to class in a safe, secure school building.
Our fourth building block, “Partners in Success,” will ensure that Ohio has highly trained teachers ready for the classroom and principals ready to lead.
Our final building block is “Making Success Possible”-a new method of funding our schools.

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Education: Ohio’s success depends on keeping education as #1 priority

Our first education budget was the largest ever, investing half of new resources in education;
Our $10 billion school building plan is the most comprehensive in the nation;
And OhioReads has exceeded our greatest expectations.

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Education: Called for 20,000 reading tutors; program is succeeding

In my Inaugural Address, I called for 20,000 Ohioans to serve as volunteer reading tutors. Frankly, some thought I was setting the bar too high. I did not. I am pleased to report today we have far surpassed our goal - more than 27,000 Ohioans are making a difference by tutoring a child! In spite of all our progress, we cannot rest! We cannot rest until every child learns how to read in elementary school - until every child graduates from high school prepared for college or for the jobs of today. Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Energy & Oil: Project THAW: $250 for home heating oil costs

I’m announcing “Project THAW”, a one-time home-heating credit of up to $250 for families and seniors of modest means.
[I will issue] a 60-day moratorium on home-heating disconnections to protect those customers participating in a company payment plan.
Further, I’ve asked Ohio’s natural gas companies to contribute a total of at least $5 million to help low-income customers pay heating costs.

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Health Care: Golden Buckeye Card for senior Rx discounts

We’ll also address the staggering cost of prescription drugs for our senior citizens. Insurance companies routinely negotiate discounts of up to 30 percent off the price they pay for drugs - and some will pass these savings along to consumers. I will propose legislation to allow the state to select the best possible discount program for all Ohio’s seniors, and make it available through our Golden Buckeye Card. It’s time to give seniors a helping hand on the cost of prescription drugs! Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Tax Reform: 3-year tax holiday for high-tech start-ups

We must make Ohio a more attractive place to launch a high-tech firm. While most high-tech start-ups don’t turn a profit in their early years, they often owe a significant net worth tax. So today, I’m proposing that new high-tech firms be exempted from that tax during their first three years of operation. Let’s give start-ups a fighting chance to succeed! Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Technology: New programs for high-tech skills training

Ohio’s workers must be trained and retrained to meet the demands of the 21st Century. Therefore, we’ll expand Jobs Challenge funding to enable two-year campuses to provide more training courses. We will create the Higher Skills Partnership to marshal the resources of two-year colleges and career centers, to jointly align and market their training services for Ohio businesses. Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

On Technology: $52M to support high-tech research

More Ohioans with higher skills are needed to attract the high tech jobs of the future, and we have an ambitious technology agenda. The Ohio Plan will provide $40 million to support research and development in bio, nano and information technology. A new Biomedical Facilities Fund will provide $12 million to leading research institutions. And our Technology Action Fund will strengthen our ability to compete for federal research dollars and provide funds for promising technology initiatives. Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Ohio Legislature Jan 24, 2001

The above quotations are from 2001 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2001 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Bob Taft. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021