Sean Parnell in 2010 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Enforce budget discipline and invest for our future
Our budget focuses on priorities mandated by Alaska's Constitution. On education, public safety, transportation and resource development. And, I established some guiding principles for this budget:- First, budget discipline;
- Second, results for
Alaskans; and
- Third, save and invest Alaska's dollars for our future.
I held the line on state agency growth. I held it to just over two percent, when they asked for a ten percent increase.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Crime:
Fill public safety officer & trooper vacancies
In 2009, the Department of Public Safety filled more than 24 trooper vacancies and 18 Village Public Safety Officer vacancies.And we are beefing up public safety. We are funding new troopers, new sexual assault investigators, as well as 15 new Village
Public Safety Officers.
We are increasing funding for shelters that provide a safe haven for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. And, we have asked legislators for $75 million for a much-needed new crime lab.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Education:
Performance Scholarship: fund tuition for good H.S. grades
If we give every high school student the opportunity for a merit scholarship, if we challenge them to reach higher to take personal responsibility for their futures, many will. These students will transform our economy and positively change the
trajectory of Alaska's future for generations.With the Governor's Performance Scholarship proposal, all Alaskan high school students can earn tuition for an in-state university or job-training program. They must complete a more rigorous curriculum
than what's now required to graduate from high school. But for students who take this curriculum, better grades will mean greater tuition awards. If a student maintains a C+ average but completes this more rigorous curriculum, they will earn 50% of their
tuition; a B average will earn them 75% tuition and with an A average while taking this tougher curriculum, a young person will earn 100% tuition for an in-state university or job-training program. Merit scholarships work.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Strike balance between ocean protection and oil production
The federal government hyperextends its reach by proposing to zone the oceans. They call it "marine spatial planning." But the wild and shifting seas were never meant to be defined by little square boxes of regulated activity. National oceans policy
should be rational, should recognize the important role of coastal states, and should strike a balance between our ocean protection and commercial activities, like our fisheries and oil and gas production.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Outer Continental Shelf will create 35,000 jobs and $72B
For three decades, oil has substantially funded our state treasury, and provided jobs and income to thousands of Alaskans. And then there is the future of further oil and gas discoveries in Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf, and maybe even one day--ANWR.
Alaskans need the estimated 35 thousand jobs and $72 billion dollars in payroll that responsible OCS development would create. I have made exploring and developing the OCS our priority.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Environment:
Feds misuse ESA listings to delay resource development
The federal government's actions often seem at war with Alaskan interests. The federal government has misused the Endangered Species Act as a regulatory weapon to delay development of Alaska's resources. Now, they have proposed setting aside an area
larger than the state of California as critical habitat for polar bears. I strongly oppose such overreactive ESA listings and critical habitat designations. These are job killers and beyond the feds authority.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Health Care:
Federal health care legislation diminishes our freedom
Federal health care legislation would force Alaskans to purchase health insurance, and tax us for years before the benefits are obtained. And it cuts Medicare to our seniors. This is bad policy. It diminishes our freedom.For these reasons,
I have asked our attorney general to review and make recommendations for action, and I have joined many other governors in urging Congress to take a breath, listen to the people and do what is right.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Homeland Security:
Revenue bonds for Veteran's Housing Loan Program
I am sponsoring a bill that would assure access to revenue bonds so the Veteran's Housing Loan Program will continue. Alaska has one of the highest percentages of veterans of any state. The Veteran's Housing Loan Program has been widely used by these
honorable Alaskans. With legislative approval, the bond request will head to the 2010 general election ballot--where you, the people, can exercise your freedom and show your appreciation to those who have given so much to safeguard us.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Tax Reform:
Suspend the state motor fuel tax since we have enough money
Where the State of Alaska has enough money to get by, we ought to return some of it to the people. That is why I proposed suspending the state motor fuel tax for two years.
The state's road maintenance money is in no way tied to the amount of the fuel tax. So where the state can responsibly give the people's money back, we ought to do it.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
On Technology:
$500M capital budget for 5-year infrastructure plan
In these tough economic times, I am pumping up Alaska's capital budget. Capital dollars fuel Alaska's economy. Our state dollars will leverage about $800 million in federal infrastructure funds for Alaska.I have also proposed a five-year deferred
maintenance plan to fix what we have got. We will invest $100 million per year for five years. Alaska's private-sector carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, HVAC contractors, and road crews, will have a dependable stream of work for years to come.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018