Bill Richardson in 2004 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Grow the trade link to Mexico and attract Hollywood business

We have brought a new vitality to trade and cultural contacts across the New Mexico - Chihuahua border. I met personally 12 times with Mexican officials - including three meetings with President Vicente Fox - to help grow this vital trade link. We have the most competitive set of incentives in the country, and we created an on-the-job training fund to encourage film producers to hire and train New Mexicans. That, in turn, will build our available pool of trained movie industry workers. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Crime: Toughened DWI and sex offender laws

We toughened DWI and sex offender laws by passing stronger penalties. DWI is a non-partisan crisis in New Mexico, and the human toll cuts across party lines, ethnicity, economic status - it is devastating, and unacceptable. I propose multiple DWI offenders forfeit their vehicles-let’s take the weapons out of their hands. My DWI package contains stronger penalties for those who drive drunk with children in the car. And there are new, serious penalties for those who provide alcohol to our children. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Crime: Domestic violence incidents start with drinking

Our problems with alcohol abuse aren’t limited to DWI. Experts report the majority of domestic violence incidents start with, or are exacerbated by drinking. That’s why my proposals incorporate domestic violence into increased training for law enforcement officers, tougher penalties for offenders, and increasing treatment options to deal with the underlying problems. I also want to amend our stalking and harassment laws to prohibit electronic, or “cyber” stalking. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Drugs: Crack down on illegal drug labs

We’re cracking down on illegal drug labs - these dangerous, makeshift factories are popping up almost daily in neighborhoods across our state. In addition to the deadly product they produce, the labs are a danger to nearby residents, and anyone in the house, including children. Our State Police are targeting these illegal drug labs and will throw the book at anyone making drugs, and raise the penalties for those doing so with children present. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Education: Equip every 7th grader with a laptop computer

I announced last week a pilot program that will bring basic change to how mid school and high school students learn. More than 700 students and 80 teachers will receive laptop computers in the first phase of this initiative. Eventually, I want every 7th grader to have one. Every teacher in every discipline - math, languages, social studies, history - will be trained in how to make use of the computer and the internet directly in their subject areas. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Education: Increase the salary of school teachers

We gave teachers - the cornerstone of our educational reform - a dramatic salary increase. The School Improvement Act of 2003 set ambitious goals for school reform. It also created a three-tier licensure system for New Mexico’s teachers - a system that will recognize and reward excellence in the profession. And let there be no misunderstanding - I support funding art in the school, but in every school. Art will be funded at the end of the process, and in a comprehensive manner. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Education: A plan that can reach straightforward education goals

I [will] focus on improving student success, & responsibly implementing critical reforms. My education plan provides for retention of quality teachers, completes the implementation of statewide full-day kindergarten, creates an extensive student testing program to accurately gauge student progress, and puts in place significant reform initiatives such as family resource services to meet student social service needs, taking the pressure off teachers so they can concentrate on teaching our children. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Education: Charter schools show tremendous promise

I am a strong supporter of charter schools. They provide opportunities for students to connect with the education process, and find a path to success. They are showing tremendous promise as alternatives for families who want something different - within the public school system - for their children. I promised to allocate additional resources for charter schools, and to help provide them a more level playing field with other public schools. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Education: Expand the lottery scholarship program for college students

My higher education plan limits tuition increases to three percent, while keeping open all financial assistance options for our students. I want to expand the lottery success scholarship program to provide more opportunity to lower income New Mexicans. We can afford it, and we must not shirk from our responsibility. My plan fully funds the new higher education formula, and provides a one-time four percent bonus for faculty, and a two percent bonus for other employees. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Energy & Oil: $6M for energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies

I am forming a Solar Power Task Force to identify a commercial-scale solar power project by the end of the year that would be under construction by 2006. The rewards can be substantial, in high-wage jobs and economic development. I am also proposing a $6 million capital projects package dedicated to incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at state facilities and public schools throughout New Mexico. This will save taxpayers and school districts money by reducing energy costs. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Environment: Expand and create new state parks

As we expand our economy, we must always remember that the great natural beauty of New Mexico, the pristine gift of our land and sky is who we are-loving and protecting our land, air, and water pervades every aspect of what it means to be a New Mexican. We are expanding and creating new state parks, because there is no greater responsibility given to government than the preservation of our environment-our way of life. I will never shirk from that responsibility. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Environment: Develop a comprehensive water management plan

Water remains the key to our future - and committing the resources to use it more wisely, stretch it farther and conserve it better is a critical priority. We have $2.7 billion of community water and wastewater needs to be met between now and 2007. We must commit the resources & put a funding plan in place to address those needs. I want every water system to develop a comprehensive water management plan, and when possible, work with other communities to develop regional systems that combine resources. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Government Reform: Focus on eliminating waste and fraud from public spending

I promised to examine the fiscal responsibility of every corner of state government, and the result is millions of dollars in taxpayer money saved. We’ve collected more than $30 million in back taxes to date. We’re also saving by eliminating or modifying bad state contracts, finding savings in telecommunications services and seeking out inefficiencies and bad fiscal management. We’ll never abandon our focus on eliminating waste and fraud from public spending, and governing with true fiscal accountability Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Health Care: Secure lower prescription drug costs for seniors

We passed legislation to secure lower prescription drug costs for seniors and funded efforts to recruit and reform health professionals. Shoddy contracts and poor financial management by the previous administration have lost the state tens of millions of dollars in matching federal funds. We’re working through the mess and have put real systems of accountability in place as we provide health care services to hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Health Care: Focus on raising childhood immunization rates

While we’re facing an explosion of Medicaid costs that are straining our budget, I pledge to protect Medicaid eligibility levels for children. I’m proposing to increase Medicaid by providing approximately $55 million in new state funds to match federal funds. I want to also continue our focus on raising childhood immunization rates in New Mexico. Immunizing more of our children today means we’ll have healthier, more successful citizens down the road. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Health Care: Increase access to affordable health care

I have two defining goals in health-care reform: decrease the number of uninsured New Mexicans - and increase access to affordable health care for all. Health care is a shared responsibility of governments, employers and individuals and their families. It will not be quick and it will not be easy, but we must have the best efforts of everybody involved in health care - from consumers to HMO executives - if we are to find ways to attain my goals of wider coverage and greater access. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Health Care: Consolidate mental health and substance abuse therapy needs

I want to create a new way to consolidate mental health and substance abuse into a single comprehensive advisory structure. I want to immediately create a common plan and structure to address the mental health and substance abuse therapy needs of New Mexicans, and have a draft ready to review by March, a request for proposals out by September, and the system up and running by July of 2005. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Health Care: Restrain Medicaid costs and maintain benefits

We’re working diligently to uncover and eliminate fraud, abuse, and errors in the Medicaid system. If we don’t control Medicaid costs now, we will face cutting eligibility and services down the road. We have to pay for these programs, and this is the most fiscally responsible way to do it. I say we restrain costs and maintain benefits now, while working to create more access in the long run for working New Mexicans through my healthcare purchasing collaborative. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Jobs: Film industry initiatives create jobs

We’ll continue to recruit high wage industries, expand New Mexico companies and grow the New Mexico film industry. We’ll do it by sustaining efforts in business marketing and recruitment, investing in workforce training and in-plant training, expanding efforts of the Film Division of the Economic Development Department and funding the New Mexico Film Advisory Board. Our bold film industry initiatives and aggressive marketing have created hundreds of new, high-wage jobs for New Mexicans. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Tax Reform: Continue to cut taxes and reform the tax code

We must continue to cut taxes, reform the tax code and invest in infrastructure by fully implementing the personal income tax cuts. I will also pursue targeted tax reform initiatives, including tax credits for creating high-wage jobs and technology start-ups. Let’s cut the tax on food & the tax on medical services. I promise to work with you to find a way to pay for these cuts, but let’s get it done now to help improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially those who need it the most. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

On Technology: Allocate capital to education and water projects

Let’s replace the current political formula with a new formula that we develop together, a strategic approach that maximizes our capital spending to ensure that critical projects get built, with fully one-half to public schools, higher education and water projects. The other half should go to local projects and state-owned facilities, with some ground rules so projects actually get built. I propose to use funds from non-recurring general fund sources for the smaller projects. Source: 2004 State of the State speech to the New Mexico Legislature Jan 20, 2004

The above quotations are from 2004 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2004 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Bill Richardson. Click here for a profile of Bill Richardson.
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Page last updated: Nov 30, 2018