2010 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Environment

Dave Freudenthal: One year moratorium on eminent domain for wind power-lines

The exercise of eminent domain by a private party is the exercise of a state authority granted by the Legislature. It is a decision by the Legislature to prefer one group's property rights over those of another.

When wind companies say t you, "We don't use eminent domain," the truth is we have not used a nuclear bomb since World War II, but the existence of the deterrent nuclear arsenal has colored every discussion about international and national security in that time.

The same is tru with regard to eminent domain. The fact it is not used does not mean it is not a part of the conversation. I am not suggesting we do away with it forever. I am suggesting we take a one-year hiatus. This moratorium is limited to collector lines.

Sean Parnell: Feds misuse ESA listings to delay resource development

Pat Quinn: Leave no child inside

We want to leave no child inside in Illinois. I believe that it's important for kids to get outside in nature with their moms and dads, and with others, their friends, to see the wonders of nature. It's important that we understand the spiritual value of being in nature. I was distressed that my predecessor padlocked some of the State parks.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: $11B for water bonds to invest in future water flow

And now we must work very hard so that we pass the $11 billion in water bonds that will be on the ballot this November. And Democrats and Republicans will have to travel up and down the state to educate the people of California why those bonds are so important.

Because some people say "how can we afford these bonds in the current economic climate?" I say, how can we not?

It is the law that you cannot build a school or that you cannot build a factory or that you cannot build an office building or a housing development without identifying first a source of water. Our economy cannot grow without water.

Now is exactly the time to invest in it, so that when Californians turn on that faucet there is safe and reliable and clean water coming out that tap and not just five years from now but 30, 40 and 50 years from now.