2012 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Jobs
Matt Mead:
Wyoming unemployment at 5.8% while nation over 8%
What is the condition of Wyoming? While other places face extreme revenue shortfalls and severe budget constraints, Wyoming does not. The nation continues to be plagued with high unemployment--still north of 8%. In contrast, while
Wyoming's unemployment rate in winter 2010 was 7.5%, it has been under 6% since June 2011 and stands at 5.8% by latest reports. Wyoming is strong in employment.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
Dan Malloy:
We created 9,400 new, private sector jobs in the last year
A little more than a year ago, on the day I was sworn in as your Governor, I said we had to [address the financial crisis] while focusing simultaneously on job creation; that by focusing on those things, we would stabilize the state's finances. I said
that was critical if we wanted the private sector to do what it does best: create jobs.One year later, it turns out that by taking that less-traveled road we have passed through the crucible of that crisis. In the process, we've brought positive,
far-reaching, meaningful, and systemic change to Hartford.
First and foremost, we grew jobs in Connecticut last year--9,400 new, private sector jobs were created, the first year of job growth since 2008.
The best evidence of the change we've brought
to Hartford can be found in some of the arguments we've been having around here lately. Instead of arguing over how much more money state employee contracts will cost taxpayers, we're arguing over how much money those revised contracts will save.
Source: Connecticut 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2012
Martin O`Malley:
We have driven unemployment down to a three-year low
Because of wise and balanced decisions about where to cut, and smart decisions about where to invest, Maryland's businesses are creating jobs again. Last year, Maryland businesses created more new jobs than we have in any year since this recession hit,
and we have driven unemployment down to a three-year low.- By restoring fiscal responsibility with a balanced approach, you have secured Maryland's place as one of only a handful of states which earns a Triple A bond rating from all three rating
agencies.
- During FY2011, more than 205,000 Marylanders received services at Maryland's 35 One Stop Employment Centers, including more than 133,000 who received staff-assisted services.
- In December 2011, Maryland's unemployment rate improved to
6.7%--the lowest level since February 2009.
- Maryland is one of nine states to hold a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies (Moody's; S&P; and Fitch).
Source: 2012 Maryland State of the State Address
Feb 3, 2012
Deval Patrick:
Address "skills gap" by aligned community college strategy
There are 240,000 people still looking for work in Massachusetts--and nearly 120,000 job openings. Why? Business leaders tell me over and over again that it is because the people looking for jobs don't have the skills required. Many of these openings are
for so called "middle skills" jobs that require more than a high school diploma but not necessarily a four-year degree. We have a "skills gap."We can do something about that. And our community colleges should be at the very center of it.
We have
15 public community colleges, uniquely positioned to help close our skills gap. They must be aligned with employers, voc-tech schools and Workforce Investment Boards in the regions where they operate; aligned with each other in core course offerings;
& aligned with the Commonwealth's job growth strategy. We can't do that if 15 different campuses have 15 different strategies. We need a unified community college system. To support this mission, I will propose to increase overall funding by $10 million.
Source: MA 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 23, 2012
Nikki Haley:
Pledge that every citizen who wants a job, has a job
When this Administration came into office, just over a year ago, with unemployment in double digits and growing, our focus was almost singular--jobs. The reason is fairly simple: if you give a person a job, you take care of a family.
And we have a lot of families to take care of in South Carolina. The good news is we've made great progress this past year. The bad news is we still have a ways to go. But my pledge to each of you sitting before me tonight, and more importantly, to the
4.6 million South Carolinians outside of these walls, is that I will not rest until we've created a climate in which every citizen of this state who wants a job, has a job. We have grown and expanded our
South Carolina family this year, welcoming in some wonderful new partners. And after all was said and done, we were able to celebrate $5 billion of investment in South Carolina, and the recruitment of almost 20,000 new jobs in our great state.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Nikki Haley:
We pushed back & NLRB dropped its frivolous Boeing lawsuit
In the fall of 2009, Boeing chose North Charleston as the location to build a new line of 787 Dreamliners. While they were creating 1,000 jobs here, they were expanding 2,000 more in Washington State. Not a single Boeing worker was hurt by their decision
--in fact, just the opposite. A commitment from Boeing--to a state, to a community, to a work force--is a proven commitment.Then, the National Labor Relations Board reared its head, suing Boeing in what will surely be remembered as one of the most
fundamentally un-American decisions ever handed down by the federal government. And South Carolina would not stand for it. we pushed back. Our federal delegation. Business leaders. State and local officials. And most importantly, the citizens of South
Carolina. And Boeing stood tall. Under tremendous pressure from the President and his union allies, this great American company said no, we did nothing wrong and we refuse to cave. And late last year, the NLRB backed down and dropped its frivolous suit.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Nikki Haley:
ReadySC: work force training; vocational & technical college
The tools for an effective job training program already exist--we just need to do a better job of putting the puzzle together. Our technical colleges and vocational rehab programs are as good as any in the country.
ReadySC has proven, time and time again, it can deliver the workers our companies need--and deliver them swiftly.
It is our responsibility to ensure that the left hand is talking to the right, that we aren't wasteful, and that every dollar directed to work force training is actually spent training our work force.
Before the month is out, you will see us unveil a restructuring of our work force training program. We will get our communities ready and put South Carolina back to work.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Nikki Haley:
I love that we are one of the least unionized states
I love that we are one of the least unionized states in the country. It is an economic development tool unlike any other. Our companies in South Carolina understand that they are only as good as those who work for them, and they take care of their
employees. The people of South Carolina have a strong work ethic, they value loyalty, and they take tremendous pride in the quality of their work. We don't have unions in South Carolina because we don't need unions in South Carolina.
However, the unions don't understand that. They will do everything they can to invade our state and drive a wedge between our workers and our employers. We can't have that. Unions thrive in the dark.
Secrecy is their greatest ally, sunlight their most potent adversary. We can and we will do more to protect South Carolina businesses by shining that light on every action the unions take.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Nikki Haley:
No unemployment benefits for workers on strike
Unions thrive in the dark. Secrecy is their greatest ally, sunlight their most potent adversary. We can and we will do more to protect South Carolina businesses by shining that light on every action the unions take.
We will require unions to tell the people of South Carolina how much money they are making on our backs, which politicians they are funding, and how much they are paying themselves.
We will protect the right of every private and public citizen to refuse to join a union, and, by Executive Order, I will make it clear that our state will not subsidize striking workers by paying them unemployment benefits.
And we'll make the unions understand full well that they are not needed, not wanted, and not welcome in the State of South Carolina.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
Jan 18, 2012
Bob McDonnell:
$38 million to spur job creation in targeted programs
Our work starts with finding work for the 260,000 Virginians who are currently unemployed. It is the most pressing issue facing our Commonwealth: Virginians need good paying private-sector jobs. This session, I am asking you to put $38 million
more into targeted programs that spur job creation. I have proposed state incentives and initiatives for tourism, film, agricultural and forestry products, technology, modeling and simulation, cyber security, international marketing,
workforce development, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. These are proven job and revenue generators.
I am also proposing a new investor tax credit to provide working capital to small businesses which create 70 percent of the new jobs in
America, and the extension of time during which the major business facility job tax credit may be taken. States are competing against each other, and the world, for job-creating businesses.
Source: 2012 Virginia State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
Mitch Daniels:
Support Right to Work and Indiana will add jobs faster
In survey after survey, by margins of 2 to 1 or more, Hoosiers support the principle known as Right to Work. After a year of studying the proposal, I agree. The idea, that no worker should be forced to pay union dues as a condition of keeping a job,
is simple, and just. But the benefits in new jobs would be large: a third or more of growing or relocating businesses will not consider a state that does not provide workers this protection. Almost half our fellow states have right to work laws.
As a group, they are adding jobs faster, growing worker income faster, and enjoying lower unemployment rates than those of us without a law.
Among the minority favoring the status quo, passion on this issue is strong, and I respect that. I did not
come lightly, or quickly, to the stance I take now. If this proposal limited in any way the right to organize, I would not support it. But we just cannot go on missing out on the middle class jobs our state needs, just because of this one issue.
Source: Indiana 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 10, 2012
Peter Shumlin:
Vermont unemployment rate, 5.3%, is among lowest in America
To those who say that Vermont is a bad place to do business, that our bold policies for job growth aren't getting results, that our optimism about Vermont's jobs future is not matched by progress, I ask you to consider these facts: our unemployment
rate at the peak of the recession was 7.3%; today it is among the lowest in America at 5.3%. Over the past year, new jobs in Vermont grew by 62% over the prior year, more than any other state in the nation.
Vermont ranked second in a recent study of how well states use tax breaks and economic development subsidies to actually create jobs. If you don't believe the data, I invite you to join me on the road, reaching out to Vermont's job creators.
My administration and I commit ourselves every day to attracting entrepreneurs and growing jobs, one job at a time, as we slowly but surely grow our way out of the most painful recession in our nation's history.
Source: Vermont 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 5, 2012
Andrew Cuomo:
Attack chronic unemployment among inner-city youth
We attacked chronic, high unemployment among disadvantaged inner-city youth with an innovative jobs program that will provide immediate tax credits to businesses that hire our youth and will also provide training to
make sure these youths are ready for employment. We restored New York's reputation as the progressive capital of the nation. We passed landmark achievements in social justice and economic justice.
Source: 2012 New York State of the State Address
Jan 4, 2012
Page last updated: Aug 10, 2019