2009 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Budget & Economy

Brad Henry: Surgical budget cuts to close $600M budget hole

In this demanding economic environment, we must make difficult decisions. But, just as the Chinese character for "crisis" also denotes "opportunity," so, too, do the challenges we face present an opportunity to improve government.

Today, I have placed before you a balanced budget that makes precise, surgical cuts while protecting vital state functions such as education, healthcare, transportation and public safety. Through efficiencies and savings that range from purchasing reforms to consolidated information technologies, we can help ensure a government of greater effectiveness and excellence.

Sarah Palin: Restraint of last two years should continue in tough times

And you understood the challenge is not just to think fast and change plans when the price of oil suddenly falls, affecting revenue by billions of dollars. The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices. With prudence, you built our reserves--that was good planning. This national economic downturn that's spread to the energy market--it found us prepared. And that's more than many states can say about their financial situation.

With the budget, the aim is to keep our economy on a steady, confident course. The aim is--with discipline--we protect our reserves and promote economic growth.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Declaring fiscal emergency; facing insolvency within weeks

As a result of all of this, California, the eighth largest economy in the world, faces insolvency within weeks. We have no alternative but to find agreement.

Tim Kaine: Cabinet Community Days: we see people worried but hopeful

I've seen these challenges firsthand. Four times each year, I take my entire cabinet on the road where we talk to citizens and learn. We call these visits "Cabinet Community Days." In December, people I talked to were worried about finding another job. Worried about how they'd provide Christmas for their children. Worried about how they'd pay their bills. But they were resolved. They were hopeful. And despite whatever worries they had, they were helping each other.

Now, more than ever before, it's time for all hands to be applied to the task of righting the national economy. President-elect Obama and the Congress are discussing a federal stimulus package to do just that--and I am moving forward on capital projects and business incentives designed to help create jobs

Janet Napolitano: Balance budget even during recession

As revenues increased, we set aside money in a rainy day fund, cut taxes and provided tax incentives for important areas like research and development. We implemented 26 of the 36 recommendations of the Citizens Finance Review Commission. We reviewed all state expenditures and undertook actions such as restructuring procurement and curtailing our use of energy. All told, our efforts have saved more than $1 billion.

We have passed a balanced budget every year, but we still need to make significant adjustments in this year's budget because of the continuing recession. I have already given you a balanced budget plan for 2009.

Jodi Rell: Financial crisis came from unbridled greed & lax oversight

Unfortunately, other than unbridled greed by far too many on Wall Street and almost criminally lax oversight by far too many in Washington, there are no easy answers.

No easy answers, but lots of questions. Lots of concerns. These are the worst financial times any of us can remember. Let's face it, it's scary.

But one concern people should not have is a state government they cannot afford--which is what they have right now. And cities and towns will need our attention as they also struggle with the fiscal pressures of the economy.

Deval Patrick: We're broke, not poor: recession is temporary

This is not the time to either lose our will or our way--the grim economic forecasts notwithstanding.

When I was growing up, we were forbidden from calling ourselves "poor." My grandmother taught us to say we were broke, because "broke," she said, is temporary. See, we will cycle out of this downturn eventually and start to expand opportunity again, to widen the reach of the American Dream. And I am confident that if we are honest about the challenges we face, responsible in the choices we make, and committed to work together for the common good, we will see our way through today's economic clouds to a stronger and brighter tomorrow.

Deval Patrick: $1.1 in cuts in services this year, including many layoffs

I will also file a balanced budget proposal later this month for the coming fiscal year. Given the decline in state revenue, spending must be at levels significantly below what they have been in better times.

No one's priorities will be spared. Local services will be cut, and in many cases, police, firefighters and teachers will face layoffs. But as we debate these proposals among ourselves and with the advocates, let us remember that we are doing no more in state government than the people of the Commonwealth are having to do in their own lives--to make do with less, to trim down wherever we can to get through to a better time.

I know the impact is real. We need everyone to contribute.