Frank O'Bannon in 2001 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Focus during slowdown on education & vulnerability
In just the past four years we have invested record amounts in our public schools, our colleges and universities, and our roads and bridges. And, we have returned $1.5 billion to Hoosier taxpayers. My spending priorities [for the coming year] are:
- Continuing to improve our public schools
- Supporting our most vulnerable Hoosiers
- Making sure our working men and women have 21st Century skills; and
- Continuing important state services.
These are my spending priorities based on our available revenues. Because our economy is cooling down, our reserve is precariously low. Most of that reserve - about $600 million in the Rainy Day Fund and $265 million in the Tuition Support Fund -
cannot be used unless certain conditions are met. That is why I am proposing that we use $410 million of surplus gaming money to pay for some of these priority spending items and help us get through this economic slowdown.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Ind. legislature
Jan 17, 2001
On Education:
Standards worked for math & English; apply to other subjects
The Education Roundtable first focused on essentials for higher student achievement: high standards, assessment and accountability. The result: Indiana now has one of the most comprehensive assessment and accountability systems in the nation. Plus, our
new school accountability laws require schools to make continuous improvements while giving them the flexibility to determine how to meet their goals. Before the creation of the Roundtable, the Fordham Foundation gave Indiana an F for English and a C
for math. So, we worked together to rewrite those standards. The result: We now have some of the highest English and math standards in the nation. And the Fordham Foundation now gives Indiana standards an A for English, an A for math, and an A for
science.
Make no mistake. The Roundtable’s work is not done. It is now helping re-write our geography, economics, civics and history standards so they too will be among the highest in the nation. And it is now focusing on quality teaching.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Ind. legislature
Jan 17, 2001
On Education:
$50 million for flexible school readiness program
We must invest in school readiness so our first graders can meet the highest English and math standards in the country. My $50 Million school readiness program offers flexibility for schools to meet local needs - like full day kindergarten, moving the
kindergarten entry date or programs like head start, or pre-school. My “Ready to Read” initiative includes funding for reading assessments, summer programs, reading institutes, and a tutor for every child struggling to read. Since our children will
now be required to meet the highest math standards in the country, Algebra will be the key to their success. That’s why I have proposed a middle school summer math program to expand learning time.
But that’s not all. Within this $50 million initiative, we will also create 500 master reading and math teachers in the schools that need them the most. And the 50 schools that make the most improvement in reading and math will be rewarded.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Ind. legislature
Jan 17, 2001
On Technology:
$50 million more for 21st Century Research Fund
We created the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund to stimulate economic development by supporting cutting edge research. We’ve funded over 30 projects for private companies in partnership with our outstanding universities. All across Indiana,
advances are being made in agricultural genomics, tissue engineering, engine design, and high speed Internet video. We need to reauthorize the 21st Century Research and Technology Fund and invest $50 million in it over the next two years.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Ind. legislature
Jan 17, 2001
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021