David Paterson in 2009 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Civil Rights: Teach tolerance, including sexual orientation

I call upon all parents to increase their efforts to teac their children respect for all people--no matter their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or national origin. And we must strengthen our school-based curriculum to reinforce the critical message of acceptance and tolerance.

On Crime: Intelligence-driven, state-of-the-art crime analysis centers

Given the success of the intelligence-driven approach, we are now opening state-of-the-art crime analysis centers in major Upstate cities. In the past four months, we have opened crime analysis centers in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, with plans for one in Albany later this year.

We should continue these efforts. And we call upon our new leaders in Washington to invest in the programs and people that will keep our communities safe.

On Drugs: Rockefeller Drug Laws have failed badly

We enacted modest reforms to the Rockefeller Drug Laws in 2004. Yet these reforms still did not go far enough to expand the availability of drug treatment programs, allow judges to order low-level offenders into mandatory treatment, and assure that prisons are used for the most serious drug offenders.

At the end of this month, the New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform will deliver its report. I look forward to reviewing the Commission's recommendations in partnership with the members of the Legislature. Together, we should move forward to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws--and institute a smart, safe and effective approach that keeps drugs off our streets.

On Education: SAY YES program: public-private partnerships for college

Yet we must do more than just prepare our children for college; we must help them afford it. When private lenders refuse to lend to our students because of tight credit markets, we must step in. That is why I propose we establish the New York State Higher Education Loan Program, which will provide more than $350 million in affordable loans to students in need.

On Energy & Oil: 45 by 15: 45% clean electricity by 2015

Today, I announce one of the most ambitious clean energy goals in America. By 2015, New York will meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and clean renewable energy. We call this our "45 by 15" program. Now is the time for us to change how New York uses energy. Now is the time for New York to take an energetic step toward shaping our future.

This effort will help rebuild our economy, meet our energy needs, and protect our environment.

On Health Care: Cover an additional 400,000 New Yorkers

Last year, we expanded our program to cover every child in New York. This year we will partner with Washington to cover an additional 400,000 New Yorkers. We will pay for this by asking Washington to let us use the Medicaid savings we have already achieved.

However, one in three New Yorkers from the ages of 19 to 29 are still uninsured. This is unacceptable. That is why I will propose a bill allowing families to cover family members up to the age of 29 in their family coverage plans at their own cost.

We must systematically remove the barriers until we can enroll every New Yorker who is eligible for publicly-funded coverage.

On Health Care: Address epidemic of childhood obesity

Childhood obesity causes serious health problems including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Obesity not only blights our children's futures--it creates a significant economic burden on our health care spending. New York spends $6.1 billion each year to treat obesity-related health problems-- the second-highest level of spending in the nation.

Our five-point plan includes the Healthy Food/Healthy Communities Initiative, which offers a new revolving loan fund that will increase the number of healthy food markets in underserved communities. We must also ban trans fats in restaurants, require calorie posting in chain restaurants, ban junk food sales in schools, and place a surcharge on sugared beverages like soda.

On Jobs: Expect 225,000 New Yorkers to be laid off in this recession

We still do not know the extent of the economic chaos that awaits us. We do know that this may be the worst economic contraction since the Great Depression. New York entered recession in August. Wall Street was hit the hardest. At least 60,000 jobs will be lost in the financial services sector, which is devastating to our state budget. Financial services provide 20% of state government revenues, so this year's budget will be exceptionally difficult. My fellow New Yorkers: the state of our state is perilous.

On Tax Reform: Property taxes are too high; cap them

On Technology: Build a 21st century infrastructure, including bridges & MTA

On Welfare & Poverty: Partner with non-profit sector to recruit more volunteers

Here in New York State, nearly 3 million adults volunteered 397 million hours of community service last year, contributing an estimated $7 billion to our economy through their service.

In these difficult times, we must recognize that community service is more important than ever.

We will work with our partners in the non-profit sector to recruit, train and retain more volunteers. To accomplish this, we must fund an increase in the number and capacity of Regional Volunteer Centers throughout the state. I also encourage all New Yorkers to visit newyorkersvolunteer.org to learn what they can do to serve their neighbors in need.