Robert Bentley in 2011 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Goal is balanced, conservative budget without federal help
We face a $165 million dollar shortfall in the education budget, and a $110 million dollar shortfall in the General Fund. Alabama must live within its means. My budgets will be balanced and conservative. First we must balance our current education and
General Fund budgets. Then we must look to 2012 and prioritize what taxpayers can and cannot afford. While there are sacrifices that must be made, we will come out of this difficult time stronger. Alabama will not look to Washington to bail us out.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
On Budget & Economy:
Protect essential services, and otherwise cut 15-45%
Medicaid must be protected. We must maintain funding of the Department of Corrections. But we also must be cost efficient in criminal justice spending. There will be protection for our Alabama National Guard. We will preserve and protect the ability
to maintain and achieve an ethical state government, by fully funding the Ethics Commission. Aside from those protections, every agency in the state's General Fund will be cut anywhere from 15 percent to 45 percent.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
On Education:
Though benefits will be cut, no teaching jobs will be lost
Beginning with 2012, we will ask our teachers to contribute more to their individual retirement and to health care insurance programs. We are only asking our teachers to do what virtually everyone else has been forced to do in these tough economic times.
And though there will be sacrifices--I will not sacrifice one single teacher's job. Classroom sizes will not increase. There will be no cuts to the length of the school year or to contract days for teachers or support personnel.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
On Health Care:
Federal takeover of our health care system will kill jobs
I will work to provide health care that is affordable. But it does not need to be forced upon us by the federal government. There is no doubt the federal takeover of our health care system will kill jobs in the U.S. and further cripple our economy.
We will fight oppressive mandates on businesses and we will fight rationing of health care. Send me legislation that will offer tax incentives to employers who provide health insurance to their employees. I will sign your bill.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
On Immigration:
Will fight illegal immigration in Alabama
As a legislator, I supported efforts to curb illegal immigration in Alabama, as governor I will continue to do so. I understand the Legislature will take up the
Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. Send me that bill. I will sign it.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
On Jobs:
As new governor, job creation is my first priority
My highest priority for Alabama is creating jobs. Stimulating our economy and job creation for the people of Alabama is, and will remain, the focal point of my administration.I am creating an Office of Small Business Development. We will continue
to aggressively pursue businesses that bring new jobs to our state. That means providing work force training and resources to support companies. Under the Full-Employment Act business will be given a one-time tax credit for each new job they create.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018