2009 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Government Reform

Brad Henry: Extend early voting to a full week prior to Election Day

Early in-person voting has been hugely successful in Oklahoma and other states. I call on you to help boost voter participation by making it easier and more convenient for our citizens to vote. Let's extend early voting in our state by four days, allowing voters to cast their votes for a full week prior to Election Day.

Rick Perry: Control spending to make government less burdensome

It was only six years ago when the 78th Legislature kicked off with a $10 billion budget shortfall.

To our shared credit, we didn't raise taxes like so many other states did then...and are again contemplating today. Instead, we tightened our belt, made spending cuts where we could and focused on key priorities, never forgetting that it's not OUR money we spend here; it's the taxpayers'.

All across the country, states are hiking sales taxes, and begging Washington DC for a bailout. Because we took a different approach back then, we know it's better to control spending to make government less burdensome, as a way to free up the economic power of our citizens.

Sarah Palin: Overall reduction of 7% spending, plus state hiring freeze

I had proposed we start with an overall reduction of seven percent from last year's expenditures. This is a real reduction, not just a reductio in the rate of spending increases--as cuts are often defined elsewhere. That's transparency in budgeting--just as the public saw when we put the state's checkbook online. We stand ready to work with lawmakers--who hold the purse strings--to amend the budget, as we receive revenue updates in weeks ahead.

I am implementing a hiring freeze, exempting public safety, and I am restricting non-essential purchases. These actions reduce the draw on savings as we monitor revenue for the rest of 2009.

Janet Napolitano: We'll be remembered for what we did, not for how we budgeted

Together, we have provided better educational opportunities for our children. We have protected our seniors and built toward a new economy. We have moved Arizona forward, and the budget I present to you will be balanced and will protect what we have achieved.