Sarah Palin in 2009 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Restraint of last two years should continue in tough times
Two years ago at this podium, I urged spending restraint. I asked that billions of surplus funds be deposited in state savings. This struck me as a simple precaution against, as I described it, massive single-year cuts down the road, if and when we faced
tougher times. You legislators agreed, so we can now meet our challenge in a stronger position.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.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Education:
3-year plan: $1B for early learning, vo-tech, accountability
We promised public education reform--so schools can plan ahead, and bureaucracies do not smother a school's creativity or a student's aspiration. We now take the next step in our three-year education plan--to offer every young
Alaskan--rural and urban--the opportunity to learn and work and succeed in the world.We'll fully forward-fund all our school districts with more than a billion dollars--that's more than
21% of General Fund expenditures. Education is that high a priority. We'll focus on early learning, vo-tech and workforce development, an enhanced
University, streamlined operations, we'll hold schools accountable, and we'll encourage opportunities for students with special needs.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Energy & Oil:
Sues federal EPA for misusing Endangered Species Act
As the largest and only Arctic state, we're studying climate-change through our DEC-led subcabinet. And we're suing the federal government for misusing the Endangered Species Act. There is an attempt there to use the
ESA to impose environmental policies that should be debated and approved legislatively, not by court order or bureaucratic decree. Alaskans have shown through our protective laws that we're willing and able to protect our magnificent wildlife,
while developing our God-given resources, by using conservation laws as they were intended. We'll challenge abuse of federal law when it's used just to lock up Alaska.Vital projects now underway show how much science and technology have
improved in a generation, greatly reducing risk to the environment. Continued work in Cook Inlet and on the North Slope, new drilling at Nikaitchug, new exploration in NPRA--these projects and more will be carried out with the safest methods.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Energy & Oil:
Goal of 50% of Alaska electric power from renewable sources
Previously, we've relied on a diminishing gas supply from Cook Inlet, and expensive diesel, and a mix of government subsidies, and not enough conservation--but that is not sustainable. And it shouldn't take another spike in energy costs to stir us into
action. Alaska will help achieve energy independence and security for our country, and we can lead with a long-needed energy plan for America. But let us begin with energy security for ourselves. This includes meeting my goal of generating
50% of our electric power with renewable sources. That's an unprecedented policy across the US but we're the state that can do it with our abundant renewables, and with Alaskan ingenuity.
In our energy plan, for the first time,
Alaskans will see cooperation among our utilities. We'll introduce legislation creating the joint utility corporation to finally accomplish this. We will have coordinated power generation that will finally make sense for consumers.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Families & Children:
Caring for special needs kids is part of culture of life
One of the great privileges given to me last year was the chance to be a witness for the truth that every child has value; to say to special needs children that they are beautiful and loved. And needed. We learn more from them than they from us.
Across America, a great change is coming in public policy affecting these children, and Alaska can lead the way. This is a part of the culture of life where every child is cherished and protected.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Free Trade:
Establish viable commercial fisheries in international seas
We protect our waters and soils from pollutants, and we manage our wildlife for abundance. To ensure this, we've successfully brought the Habitat Division back into Fish and Game, as I promised.
Our biologists have protected game by eliminating predators from calving grounds and we'll further protect herds, some of which are at precariously low levels of abundance--thus ultimately promoting the population growth of every species.
We're building viable personal use and commercial fisheries in some of the most controversial and complex fisheries in the world, dealing with half a dozen foreign countries, including Japan, Russia and Canada.
We're establishing sustainable seafood stocks, and limiting salmon bycatch in the trawl fishery. We've increased research on salmon runs, and we're building new hatcheries for vibrant industry.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Government Reform:
Overall reduction of 7% spending, plus state hiring freeze
Unless the price of a barrel of oil dramatically increases, soon, we're looking at a potential revenue shortfall in excess of a billion dollars this year. So with a close eye on price, we need to be willing to curtail spending as needed. If there's a
shortfall, there are options. It'll take a cooperative spirit all around to see us through the uncertainty. 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.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Health Care:
Greater competition, more choices, and less litigation
In this chamber, we share a commitment to serious health-care reform. We've learned from experience that all the answers do not come from Washington. When Congress turns to health-care reform this year,
we look to our delegation to make the case for greater competition, more private sector choices, and less litigation in the health-care market. But we're not going to wait. Here, reform can move forward without delay.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
On Health Care:
Health Care Commission recommends habits against obesity
We have alarming levels of heart disease, diabetes, childhood obesity--and all of these maladies are on the rise. Now, I won't stand here and lecture--for very long--but health care reform on an individual basis is often just this simple: we could save
a lot of money, and a lot of grief, by making smarter choices.It starts by ending destructive habits, and beginning healthy habits in eating and exercise. In my case, it's hard to slack when you have the ever-present example of an Iron Dogger nearby.
But many of us could use a little more time in our great outdoors--and when you live in the Great Land, there's no excuse.
Protecting good health is largely a matter of personal responsibility, but government policy can help.
Our new Alaska Health Care Commission will recommend changes that affect the well-being of Alaskans far into the future.
Source: Alaska 2009 State of the State Address
Jan 22, 2009
Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018