Matt Mead in 2012 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
Wyoming has 4th lowest rate of violent crimes
[A recent] report noted that Wyoming has the fourth lowest rate of violent crimes and the sixth lowest unemployment rate. The report also cited the high percent of our adult population, age 25 years or older, that are high school graduates.
At 92.3 percent, our state ranks first in the nation. Congratulations Wyoming. I am pleased to report the state of the state is strong. We have a citizenry that while small in numbers is big in spirit and accomplishment.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
On Education:
No federal curriculum standards; keep Wyoming standards
We need accountability in our schools. We don't need to push all students into a four-year university. Career and technical education programs are perfectly viable alternatives. Likewise, not everyone has to go to a traditional public school. Religious
schools, home schools, virtual schools and charter schools can provide innovative ideas and alternatives to parents. But whether public school or not, all of our kids need a topnotch K-12 education that prepares them for the future. To ratchet up the
quality, we need more rigorous standards. Common core standards have been debated and discussed. We are not signing on with federal curriculum. These are Wyoming standards. We are signing on to a better future for our children by demanding more rigorous
standards.
If the federal government tries to steer us in a direction we don't want to go, we will simply refuse. There is no federal hook that will push us from Wyoming law or Wyoming standards. Wyoming law and Wyoming standards control.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
On Environment:
Mineral production resources equate to tremendous value
We remain number one in trona production; we have 70% of the world's supply of bentonite; we are number one in coal production; we are number one in uranium reserves; and year in and year out we rank first or second in natural gas production.
These resources equate to tremendous value. The total value for minerals produced in Wyoming hit $15.5 billion dollars in 2010, the second best year ever and up 23% since 2009. Wyoming remains strong in minerals.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
On Environment:
With courts wolf management, winners are lawyers & wolves
I am asking for your support on my proposed wolf plan. After years of court battles, where every year the number of wolves increases by about 10 percent, where we have lost the ability to manage that which belongs to us--our wildlife, where wolves
threaten our Agriculture, wildlife and outfitters, it is time to move forward. We must accept the fact--if Wyoming is to have wolves and it is clear that we are--we have a scientifically sound approach that gives us management and the ability to
have a balance in terms of numbers. If we don't move forward, we diminish our state's rights and miss an opportunity to achieve greater balance.
Some disagree with my plan, instead believing a solution lies in the hands of a few judges and we should
continue in the courts. To date we have not gained the ability to manage wolves, the numbers keep going up, and the only proven winners have been the attorneys and the wolves.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
On Jobs:
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
On Tax Reform:
Wyoming is #1 state for good tax climate
During a time when so many had credit ratings drop, our state's credit rating went up--to the highest (triple A) rating. Conservative budgeting and forecasting practices were cited for the upgrade. A report from The Tax Foundation recently put Wyoming at
#1 of states with good tax climates. We have over $14 billion dollars in assets and can build on savings again this year while continuing to invest for future success through wise appropriations. Wyoming remains strong financially.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
On Technology:
Diversify Wyoming economy with petaflop supercomputer
We must continue to look for ways to diversify our economic base. We have made some headway. The NCAR facility in Cheyenne will house a one petaflop supercomputer. A petaflop is equal to one quadrillion computer operations per second. From bytes to
petaflops, we've come a long way in computer technology and, with the supercomputer; Wyoming is in the thick of things. Wyoming's weather, energy availability and affordability, and location make our state a good fit for tech and other businesses.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
On Technology:
Expand state teleconferencing & state cloud computing
State government must set an example of leadership and use of Information Technology (IT). We must expand our use of teleconferencing. We must have a single agency in state government that consolidates IT services. Senate File 33 will take us there.
I was pleased to announce last year that, for the first time, we managed, through cloud computing, to get state employees on the same email system. This cloud computing system provides for greater collaboration. Cloud computing makes our email a stronger
tool by providing, for the first time, an easy method for every state employee to email any state employee and for the public to do likewise.
The backbone of IT technology is broadband. When I took office, the state's major broadband provider had only
two towns in Wyoming capable of high speed gigabit broadband. Thanks to a public-private partnership, this company expanded this capability to an additional 18 Wyoming communities.
Source: Wyoming 2012 State of the State Address
Feb 13, 2012
Page last updated: Aug 10, 2019