Jim Gilmore in 2001 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Informed consent and 24-hour waiting period
When it comes to the most difficult decision a woman must make -- whether or not to have an abortion -- I believe she should be fully informed about the medical implications of that decision and have an opportunity to reflect on that information.
That’s why I support legislation to require informed consent and establish a 24-hour waiting period for abortion.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Budget & Economy:
Virginia is booming; unemployment at record lows
Despite the pressures of a national economic slowdown, our economy remains strong. In fact, last year, was a landmark year for economic growth and development.- In November, Virginia unemployment dropped to an incredible 2%-the third lowest rate in
the nation.
- Virginia companies announced investments of $6 billion in our economy last year, which is an all-time record.
- We have already kept our promise to create 250 thousand new jobs before the end of this Administration.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Drugs:
Illegal drugs are not an acceptable part of our society
We have worked to enhance our earlier public safety reforms with Virginia Exile and SABRE, the Substance Abuse Reduction Effort. Both programs are already breaking the link between drugs, illegal guns and violent crime.In its first six months, the new
State Police division created as part of SABRE has made or helped make nearly 500 arrests and seize hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs. We have sent a clear message across the Commonwealth: illegal drugs are not an acceptable part of our society.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Education:
College scholarships for every qualified needy student
I believe every high school graduate who wants the opportunity to earn a college education should be able to afford that opportunity. Two years ago, we provided our colleges and universities with an additional $75 million to cut tuition by 20% and
then freeze it at that level. We’re already seeing results. But we must work to make a college education even more affordable.- I propose beginning to meet 100% of the true financial need of every college student. This will ensure that even our
neediest students have the opportunity to earn a college degree.
- I propose a merit-based New Century Scholarship. Beginning with the graduating class of 2004, this program will provide a $3,000 scholarship to the top 20 students in each class and a
$500 scholarship to each student for an advanced score on an end-of-course test. New Century Scholarships will give the children of working parents-a part of our society that is too often forgotten-an incentive and opportunity to succeed.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Education:
Expand Algebra Readiness Initiative; hire more teachers
Developing basic math skills is a core component of academic success. The Algebra Readiness Initiative is designed to ensure that every student is skilled in math by the end of ninth grade.
I propose expanding this initiative by hiring 100 new teachers to provide our students with more help in math. With these teachers, we will keep my promise to hire 4,000 new teachers before the end of this Administration.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Education:
Raise teacher pay with local funds
The remarkable growth and success of the Virginia Retirement System has reduced contribution rates and created a windfall for local governments.
Over the next two years, school divisions will save nearly $100 million in payments to the System. This is extra money available at the local level. I encourage local governments to use this money to raise the pay of our teachers.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Environment:
Extend “Virginia Naturally”: empower people with knowledge
My administration [will] be a responsible steward of our precious natural resources. Last year I launched a new environmental education initiative called Virginia Naturally 2000. Our goal was to empower people with the knowledge they need
to make the right decisions about protecting the environment. I’m pleased to announce we are extending Virginia Naturally through this year. Working together, as an informed and dedicated community, we can keep our commitment to a cleaner environment.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Environment:
Extend "Virginia Naturally": empower people with knowledge
My administration [will] be a responsible steward of our precious natural resources. Last year I launched a new environmental education initiative called Virginia Naturally 2000. Our goal was to empower people with the knowledge they need to make
the right decisions about protecting the environment. I'm pleased to announce we are extending Virginia Naturally through this year. Working together, as an informed and dedicated community, we can keep our commitment to a cleaner environment.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Gun Control:
More gun convictions means less violent crime
In its first full year of operation, Virginia Exile has put 95 violent, gun law violators in prison for at least five years. Those convictions, out of 111 cases, produced an 86% conviction rate. Virginia Exile’s success has attracted wide attention,
from other states, major cities, and in Congress, which approved a national Exile law based on our model. Thanks to this new approach to gun violence in Virginia, violent crime is down and our communities are safer.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Health Care:
$25M more for medical care for most vulnerable citizens
There are certain men and women who those of us in government must always remember. Our most vulnerable citizens - the poor, the sick, the elderly, the disabled - often have no other alternative than help from the government.
Thousands of needy adults and children all across Virginia depend on Medicaid for their medical care. But with the rising cost of services and the growing use of those services, the financial burden on the state has increased dramatically.
I propose we fully fund Medicaid this year. In addition, I propose $25 million to compensate the Medical College of Virginia for the care they provide patients who don’t have insurance or whose treatment isn’t covered by Medicaid.
We must leave no Virginian behind, especially the poor who can’t afford medical care.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Tax Reform:
End the Car Tax
We have already met the conditions to proceed with the next phase of the car tax cut with a 70% reduction. Because the money is already in the budget, any bill that would halt the car tax cut I believe would amount to a tax increase.
Any bill that would cut the car tax less than 70% would also amount to a tax increase, in my judgement. The car tax cut is about people and principle. The car tax may not be a heavy burden to some Virginians. But many Virginians, one or two hundred
dollars makes a real difference in their lives.
[And] the principle: People have grown cynical about government. We overwhelmingly enacted this together and most of us have campaigned on it. Together, let’s keep the trust of the people. I ask you to
support the car tax cut not only because it was a campaign promise, but also because it makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve. Even though our budget may be tight, I ask you to make the people and their priorities your priority.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
On Technology:
We should “think new”, like Founding Fathers did
The issue before this Assembly is whether we continue to advance or whether, at the first sign of trouble, we back away. I believe we should stay the course of change, even accelerate reform,
and use every tool of management, financial or otherwise, to achieve our policies and principles. As our Founding Fathers “thought new” in the 18th century, we must continue to “think new” at the beginning of the 21st century.
Education must be more than an opportunity for the young, but a lifelong quest for all Virginians to acquire new skills and greater knowledge. Transportation must be more than building roads the same out-dated way, but innovating to shorten commutes
and improve the safety and efficiency of our system. Technology must be more than hardware and websites, but a real opportunity to break down the walls of bureaucracy and bring a more responsive government closer to the people.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to VA General Assembly
Jan 10, 2001
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021