Bob McDonnell in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches


On Crime: Tough punishment and no parole works

Tough punishment and no parole works Our communities continue to get safer. Our violent crime rate is now lower than any time since the early 1960's, the lowest in the South and the 5th lowest in the nation. Our property crime rate is the lowest in the South and the 8th lowest nationally. Tough punishment and no parole works drunk driving and internet crime. Last year we quietly passed the most significant reforms in over a decade to punish repeat drug dealers and child sex offenders.

Second, we've dramatically improved our prisoner re-entry system.

Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

On Education: Top Jobs for the 21st Century: STEM-H degrees

Top Jobs for the 21st Century: STEM-H degrees Our 2011 landmark "Top Jobs for the 21st Century" higher education reform legislation has made the college dream more affordable and accessible. Our bold statutory goal of 100,000 new degrees over the next 15 years, with a focus on Top Jobs for the 21st Century: STEM-H degrees 4%, after a decade of double digit increases. More diplomas mean more jobs!

We have increased the percentage of K-12 funding going into the classroom from 62% to 64%. Graduation rates are up.

Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

On Education: Zero tolerance policy for failing schools

Zero tolerance policy for failing schools Even in a state like ours with a very good public education system, some students are trapped in underperforming and unaccredited schools. This must end!

We now equip low performing schools with turnaround specialists and additional resources from the Zero tolerance policy for failing schools Institution to provide a high quality education alternative for children attending any chronically underperforming public elementary or secondary school. The Opportunity Educational Institution will be a new statewide school division to turnaround

Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

On Energy & Oil: Replace gas tax with sales and use tax

Replace gas tax with sales and use tax Our plan will also eliminate Virginia's 17.5 cents per gallon tax on gasoline and replace it with a 0.8% increase in the sales and use tax- that will not tax gasoline. We will be the first state in the nation to eliminate the gas tax, which is projected Replace gas tax with sales and use tax We will maintain the tax on diesel fuel, 68% of which is consumed by out of state truckers. Trucks comprise 4.2% of the miles traveled, but cause nearly 80% of the maintenance needs.
Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

On Technology: $14B on 900 transportation projects, including more Amtrak

$14B on 900 transportation projects, including more Amtrak We put the most new funding into transportation since 1986, while maintaining our 5% debt limit. The 2011 transportation legislation jumpstarted over 900 projects. A record $14 billion in projects are now in procurement or under construction, including
Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address Jan 9, 2013

The above quotations are from 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches.
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Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018