2013 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Jobs
Bobby Jindal:
Not done as long as there are folks who can't find work
Our unemployment rate is 6%, a full 1.6 percentage points below the national unemployment rate. In fact, our unemployment rate has remained well below the Southern and national averages every month since the beginning of the national recession.-
As long as there are hardworking folks in Louisiana who can't find work--and there are.
- As long as there are hardworking people in Louisiana who need better paying jobs--and there are.
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As long as there are families in Louisiana who are struggling to get by--and there are.
- As long as this is the case, we are not where we need to be, and our work is not complete.
One of the biggest obstacles we face in helping more Louisianians find work, bringing more people here, and growing our economy is Louisiana's tax code. We can be number one in job growth in the entire country.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to La. legislature
Apr 8, 2013
Pat McCrory:
Recruit and retain N.C. jobs, in RTP and in small towns
Our biggest challenge, as I travel the state right now, is not just developing jobs in a growing urban area--sometimes it's much easier to sell the Triangle area or the Charlotte area or the Triad area. But right now I think our biggest challenge is to
develop a strategy for the small towns in North Carolina that have been hit so hard by this recession. And that's exactly what we plan to do. We've got to work with the small towns of North Carolina. There are too many people hurting in those towns.
And let me tell you this right now. I did it as mayor, and I'll do it again as governor. No one will out work this governor, or this team or any of you in our effort to grow, recruit and retain North Carolina jobs.
We will be on the road and we're going to sell our great resources that we have. This is my job, this is your job. We've got a great product.
Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address
Feb 18, 2013
Pat Quinn:
Reformed burdensome worker compensation system
Four years ago, Illinois had one of the most burdensome worker compensation systems in the country. That didn't help our businesses or our workers. So we reformed the system, saving business millions of dollars in insurance premiums.
And we did it working together, with both parties. Achieving this reform was not easy; but hard is not impossible.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Illinois Legislature
Feb 6, 2013
Steve Beshear:
Jobless rate is falling; Kentucky now 2nd in job growth
My immediate goal during the recession was to help our families and businesses survive. But merely surviving was not enough. So we also acted strategically to preserve our ability to make investments in our people and infrastructure that would strengthen
Kentucky's long-term capacity. By embracing tough but thoughtful fiscal decisions, you and I brought Kentucky through the worst recession of our lifetimes better than most other states, and today our economic momentum is gaining national recognition.
We've made a lot of progress. For example, our one-year net job growth recently ranked second in the nation, and our current unemployment rate is the lowest in over four years.
That jobless rate has fallen almost 25% in two years. In fact, we're now adding jobs at the pre-recession pace.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Kentucky Legislature
Feb 6, 2013
Paul LePage:
Reduce red tape for permitting for principled job creators
With LD 1, we reduced red tape, and improved our permitting process for businesses. Maine hospitals are now paid in real time for the services they provide. Principled job creators know that my administration wants to help, and my door is always open.
You want to create a job; I want to be there to help.However, let me be clear, I am not interested in helping those who increase the cost of living on Maine people for personal financial gain. Unemployment is down in Maine, lower than the national
average. We are focusing our efforts on branding the State of Maine, recognizing that Maine made products embody quality and value. Government is becoming more transparent. We exposed the wasteful use of Mainers tax dollars at agencies such as the
Maine Turnpike Authority and Maine State Housing Authority. We not only exposed it--we cleaned it up. We have more to do!
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Maine Legislature
Feb 5, 2013
Robert Bentley:
Take pride in products stamped "Made In Alabama"
Our state is making great progress. Jobs are coming. We are cutting costs and living within our means--all without raising taxes. Unemployment in Alabama is down to the lowest level in four years. Over 26,000, new, future jobs have been recruited to
Alabama in the last two years. Industries from all over the world are choosing to make their home in our state and have invested more than $6 dollars in Alabama in 2012.From the state's largest cities to the smallest towns, nothing is more important
to me than putting people back to work. Because of my steadfast commitment to recruiting jobs for the people of this state, Whether it is 50 jobs in a small town or 1000 jobs in a large city, every job matters to me and especially to that person who will
go back to work.
They are the men and women who make up Alabama's greatest economic asset--and that's our workers. I'm proud of our workers, and we should all take pride that the products rolling off the assembly line are stamped "Made In Alabama."
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Alabama Legislature
Feb 5, 2013
Tom Corbett:
Keystone Works: on-the-job training for displaced workers
Last summer, working together, Republicans and Democrats passed legislation creating the Keystone Works Program. This program is built around a worker's ambition, not bureaucratic rules. Keystone Works provides on-the-job
training to allow displaced workers to train for open positions. Here's the great innovation: those trainees don't have to give-up their unemployment benefits while learning a new skill on the job.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania Legislature
Feb 5, 2013
Mary Fallin:
62,400 new jobs in our state; unemployment at 5.1%
Since January 2011, we've created over 62,400 new net jobs, giving us the fourth highest growth rate in the United States. Unemployment in Oklahoma has been reduced by 30 percent, from 7 percent in 2010 to an enviable
5.1 percent today, one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Our median household income rose in 2011 by $4,000--placing Oklahoma at No. 1 in the country.We have also restored fiscal stability to state government.
In January 2011, we had $2.03 in our Rainy Day Fund. Today, we are approaching a record high of over $600 million. We achieved these results by prioritizing our spending, promoting pro-business policies and lowering taxes.
Oklahoma's state government has helped our economy to flourish--setting the stage for the job creation and family income growth that has now finally restored the state's economy to 2008, pre-recession job levels.
Source: 2013 State of the State to Oklahoma Legislature
Feb 4, 2013
Mary Fallin:
Excessive worker's compensation is a barrier to growth
A large part of our success can be attributed to Oklahoma keeping a laser like focus on reform efforts that remove barriers to economic growth--barriers like frivolous lawsuits, a problem which we tackled through landmark legal reforms.
Now malpractice lawsuits are at a 10-year low.Barriers to growth also include excessive workers compensation costs. For decades, out-of-control workers' compensation costs have been a burden on those doing business in Oklahoma.
While recent reforms have effectively worked to reduce the total costs of claims, more needs to be done.
I am committed to working with the House and Senate to pursue additional reforms that lower costs for businesses while treating injured workers fairly.
Source: 2013 State of the State to Oklahoma Legislature
Feb 4, 2013
Gary Herbert:
Remove oppressive nonsensical regulation & spur job creation
While I am optimistic about Utah's future, I realize that 71,000 Utahns still seek employment. And I will continue to work tirelessly with you in the legislature to empower the private sector to create job opportunities for every Utahn.
Sometimes promoting economic development means removing or simplifying overly oppressive or nonsensical regulation that also presents obstacles to job creation. Last year I told you about the results of our state regulatory reform effort.
This year I am pleased to announce that I am partnering with the mayors of Provo, Ogden, Cedar City, and South Jordan on a pilot project to engage in regulatory reform at the local level that I hope could be a model for every city and county.
These efforts exemplify the best kind of economic recovery, with government removing the obstacles to innovation and free market growth, creating real opportunity for all Utahns.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Utah Legislature
Jan 30, 2013
Steve Bullock:
J.O.B.S. Bill: Jobs and Opportunity by Building Schools
Montanans want us to take a balanced approach: Let's save some, invest some and give some back. We can invest some. I ask you to join me in prioritizing job creation, education and a more effective government. The first step you should take in
creating jobs and investing in education is to put politics aside and pass the J.O.B.S. Bill. The quality of our workers attracts businesses to invest here. It's called the J.O.B.S. Bill, which stands for Jobs and Opportunity by Building Schools.
We can take advantage of historically low interest rates and immediately create thousands of jobs across the state--and do it without raising taxes.
Stand with me and the over 2,500 construction workers we want to put to work
building world class schools for our world class workforce. And while we are at it, let's make sure that those 2,500-plus construction workers newly employed by the J.O.B.S. Bill are our friends and neighbors.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Montana legislature
Jan 30, 2013
Steve Bullock:
Enforce that construction projects hire Montana residents
Right now, we have a law on the books that is supposed to require that at least half of the workers on any construction project funded by state or local tax dollars be Montana residents, but it's riddled with loopholes and not enforceable.
When taxpayer money is funding a project, let's put Montana companies and Montana workers first.Let's work together to close these loopholes and expand this requirement to all projects--not just construction.
And let's also significantly increase the proportion of Montana workers required on any state or locally funded project. I hope you will join
me to pass this measure so we can put more money into the hands of Montana businesses and create more jobs for Montana workers.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Montana legislature
Jan 30, 2013
Bill Haslam:
Created 80,000 jobs by making TN a good place for capital
Since January 2011, nearly 80,000 new jobs have been created in Tennessee, and the unemployment rate is the lowest it's been since October 2008. Tennessee ranks first in the Southeast in new manufacturing jobs created and first in the growth of
manufacturing jobs in 2012. That's good news, but it doesn't mean we can take our foot off of the gas. You've heard me say many times before that I don't believe government creates jobs, but I do believe it's our role to create an environment that
encourages investment. Jobs are created when people are willing to risk capital. We want Tennessee to be as low of a risk as possible. To provide certainty to businesses, we overhauled our tort laws. To build on those efforts, this year we're proposing
legislation to reform our worker's compensation laws. During my first year in office, I held business roundtables across the state where we heard from businesses over and over that worker's comp is an issue in Tennessee.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Tennessee legislature
Jan 28, 2013
Jerry Brown:
Recover from Great Recession: GoBiz and Jobs Hiring Credit
California lost 1.3 million jobs in the Great Recession but we are coming back at a faster pace than the national average. The new Office of Business and Economic Development-- GoBiz--directly assisted more than 5,000 companies this past year.
This year, we should change both the Enterprise Zone Program and the Jobs Hiring Credit. They aren't working. We also need to streamline our regulatory procedures, particularly the California Environmental Quality Ac, based more on consistent standards.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature
Jan 24, 2013
Phil Bryant:
My first job: every Mississippian who wants a job has one
In 2012, you helped produce one of the most business-friendly legislative sessions in modern history, and I thank you. Therefore, I am proud to stand here, able to report that the state of our state is strong.Last January, I told you that my first job
was to make sure every Mississippian who wants a job has one. We have made great improvements, and with the help of the Mississippi Development Authority, we grew our existing businesses and brought new world-class companies to our state.
In 2012, Mississippi's economic development efforts resulted in the announcement of nearly 2,700 new jobs. This success represents a private sector investment of more than a half-billion dollars. [This was accomplished by state agencies] making contact
with site-selectors, beginning the competitive recruitment process, putting a deal together, and landing a business win. Tonight, I call on you to make sure the world knows Mississippi will not take a back seat to anyone when it comes to attracting jobs.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 22, 2013
Nathan Deal:
Employment is primary goal of education: more HOPE Grants
Since employment is a primary goal of education, I want to commend the Chancellor of our University System and the Commissioner of our Technical College System for evaluating and refocusing their programs of study to give priority to those educational
paths that have a proven record of employability. It is a tragedy when a young person works hard, accumulates debt for student loans and then graduates with a diploma in a field where there are no jobs.
My budget proposes to focus more funds within our HOPE Grant Program toward occupations where we know jobs are available & shortages actually exist. Currently, there are several thousand jobs available for individuals with a commercial driver's license.
There are similar shortages in the areas of nursing and early childhood education. In order to fill these vacancies we suggest directing additional funds within our Technical College HOPE Grants.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 17, 2013
Jay Inslee:
Focus on job growth in high tech and military
My plan focuses on job growth in seven industry clusters: aerospace, life sciences, military, agriculture, information technology, clean energy technology and the maritime trades.
These clusters represent both the present and the future key drivers of economic growth and job creation in our state. We must support innovators in these areas with incentives to take risks and bring ideas from dream to reality.
Source: 2013 Wash. State of the State Address
Jan 16, 2013
Nikki Haley:
Fought unionization; new jobs in 45 of 46 counties
In two years, we have announced new jobs in forty-five of South Carolina's forty-six counties. We've announced more than 6,300 new jobs to rural areas of our state.We've cut taxes on small business.
We've passed tort reform that, for the first time ever, puts a cap on lawsuit damages.
We've fought against the unionization of South Carolina, cherishing the direct relationship between our companies--who know how to take care of those that take care of them--and their employees.
We've, through the Department of Social Services, moved more than 14,000 families from welfare to work. We've created an Agribusiness partnership to showcase the largest industry in our state.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature
Jan 16, 2013
Susana Martinez:
Protect government jobs at our labs and military bases
While New Mexico has seen some job gains in certain private sector industries, there is no question that the number of government jobs is on the decline. Last year, New Mexico lost more than 4,800 government jobs, including 400 federal jobs in a single
month. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Washington, DC is going to solve the budget mess anytime soon. I am committed to working with our delegation to protect our labs and military bases and fighting to avoid further cuts.
Our labs and bases are not only important to New Mexico, but they are critical to the security of America.
However, we'd be foolish to leave our state's economy at the mercy of the next fiscal cliff in Washington. The opportunity to forge a new path
and shape our own destiny is before us. It's an opportunity defined not by decisions made in Washington, but by the hard work and ingenuity of New Mexicans. That means diversifying our economy and growing the private sector.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to N.M. Legislature
Jan 15, 2013
John Kitzhaber:
Focus budget on investing in jobs and innovation
Far too many Oregonians continue to struggle with unemployment, debt and the rising cost of health care.That sense of urgency is at the core of the budget I sent you last month--a budget that reflects the priorities that have guided us over the past two
years: putting children, families and education first; investing in jobs and innovation; and reducing the cost of government. It is also a budget built on the assumption that even with constrained resources, we cannot wait to begin reinvesting in
children, in families and in education. More than 60% of the jobs in the next decade will require at least a technical certificate or associates degree--yet only 67% of our students are graduating from high school, taking them off the path to economic
security. If, as I believe, it is the promise of equal opportunity that lies at the heart of the American Dream--the promise of upward mobility--then public education is the vehicle through which the American Dream is most directly fulfilled today.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Ore. Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
Peter Shumlin:
Create Innovation Zones targeted to regional job needs
Create Innovation Zones targeted to regional job needs
We must also do more to utilize our 17 career and technical education centers around the state that provide opportunities for students and adults who need to update skills to advance their earning power. I propose using the centers as the foundation for
Create Innovation Zones targeted to regional job needs
These Innovation Zones will focus on areas of education and professional opportunity that fit the needs of their region.
Source: 2013 Vermont State of the State / inaugural address
Jan 10, 2013
Andrew Cuomo:
Reduce the crushing burden of unemployment & workers comp
We must continue to reduce costs of doing business in the New New York. We must reduce the crushing burden of unemployment insurance and workers comp. You will hear this from almost every businessman in New York.
We propose a reform of the workers comp program that would streamline the system.
We would also reform the unemployment insurance program by ending borrowing to pay benefits for the first time in state history.
It will reduce the cost to business while also increasing the benefits to workers for the first time since 1999. And it will save $1.3 billion to business, just think about that.
Source: 2013 State of the State Speech to NY Legislature
Jan 9, 2013
Andrew Cuomo:
Current minimum wage is unlivable
The current minimum wage is unlivable. It's only $14,616. The annual cost of gasoline is $1,200. The annual cost of electricity is $1,300.
The annual cost of auto insurance is $1,400. The annual cost of groceries is $6,500. The annual cost of childcare is $10,000. The annual cost of housing is $15,000 on a minimum wage of $14,000.
My friends, it does not add up. Nineteen other states have raised the minimum wage; we propose raising the minimum wage to $8.75 an hour.
It's the right thing to do. It's the fair thing to do. It is long overdue. We should have done it last year. Let's do it this year.
Source: 2013 State of the State Speech to NY Legislature
Jan 9, 2013
Andrew Cuomo:
Phase One casino gambling plan: three Upstate casinos
We can revitalize the Upstate economy by increasing tourism through destination resorts and casinos. The fact is that gaming already exists throughout New York State, but the state is unable to fully capitalize on it. Native Americans have five casinos,
and there are nine racinos at race tracks.This year, the Governor will propose a Phase One casino gaming plan, with the following elements:
- Begin by locating up to three casinos in Upstate New York.
- No casinos will be located in New York
City--the plan is to bring downstate New Yorkers and other visitors to Upstate.
- The Gaming Commission will pick the best locations and the plan must have local government and community support.
- Any revenue raised under the plan will be split
90% for education and 10% for local property tax relief.
- Casino gaming has significant potential to be a major economic engine for New York State. It is estimated that over $1 billion of economic activity can be generated from casino gaming.
Source: NY Rising 2013 State of the State booklet
Jan 9, 2013
Chris Christie:
75,000 new private sector jobs since taking office in 2010
Sandy may have stalled New Jersey's economy, but there is plenty of evidence that New Jerseyans have not let it stop our turnaround. The direction is now clear. Here is the latest economic report:- Unemployment is coming down.
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2011 was our best private sector job growth year in eleven years and 2012 is also positive.
- Personal income set a record high in New Jersey for the seventh quarter in a row.
- Gross income tax receipts are exceeding the Administration's projections
for this fiscal year prior to Sandy.
- Sales of new homes are up.
- Consumer spending is up.
- Industrial production is up.
Since I took this office, participation in New Jersey's labor force is higher than the nation as a whole and the number of
people employed has grown. That means that more people have the confidence to be out looking for jobs, and more people actually have jobs. In total, we have added nearly 75,000 private sector jobs in New Jersey since we took office in January 2010.
Source: N.J. 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Dennis Daugaard:
Help find jobs for those unemployed over 12 weeks
In May, the Department of Labor and Regulation instituted a new program to help those on unemployment for more than 12 weeks to find a job quickly.The program requires participants to be actively searching for work, honing old skills or learning new o
Source: South Dakota 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Dennis Daugaard:
Dakota Roots: invite former South Dakotans back home to work
We redoubled our efforts to market Dakota Roots, a successful program to invite former South Dakotans back home to work. Through a focused campaign using social media, we had a record number of new job seekers enter the Dakota Roots program.
Last year alone, this program brought 536 South Dakotans back home to take a job here.We have also begun work on the New South Dakotans program, which partners with South Dakota companies to recruit skilled out-of-state workers into South Dakota.
The program has gotten off to a slower start than I had hoped, but it is beginning to show results. So far, businesses from across South Dakota, 35 of them have enrolled in the program, listing over 250 job openings. They have successfully attracted
55 out-of-state workers, to accept hard-to-fill positions that we couldn't fill after thirty days in South Dakota. I'm hopeful that as more businesses use the program, the success will grow.
Source: South Dakota 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Jack Dalrymple:
Job growth from low taxes & regulations, not just oil
The national media contacts my office nearly every week asking the same question: "What are you guys doing out there anyhow?" I explain to them about our record of job creation and smart budgeting. But then they ask, "Isn't it all about the oil?" and
I enjoy explaining to them that our unemployment rate, which is the lowest in the nation at 2.8%, is very low throughout the state including the Red River Valley which is about 260 miles from the nearest oil well.
For the last 12 years our successful strategies for job growth and economic development have begun with creating a positive business climate. That means a focus on low taxes, a reasonable regulatory climate, and the most responsive
state government anywhere. In state government itself, we have found a model that has stood the test of time, which is to: fund our priorities responsibly; build strong reserves for the future; and provide tax relief whenever possible.
Source: North Dakota 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 8, 2013
Butch Otter:
Hire One Act: income tax credit for creating new jobs
There's an investment that Idaho taxpayers are making in job creation. It's called the Hire One Act. We'll soon see how many employers took advantage of the income tax credit it provides for creating new jobs as those businesses start filing their 2012
tax returns. But a number of companies already have told us that the terms and conditions of qualifying for that incentive are too complex and onerous to be the useful tool we'd hoped in economic development. So I'm bringing you legislation this year to
address those concerns and reflect our changing conditions and needs. It simplifies, clarifies and streamlines the law so that our local and state economic development experts can maximize its potential for growing our workforce and our tax base.
In addition, my new Hire One More Employee or HOME Act recognizes the special needs and our special responsibility to veterans--our State agencies are working together to focus public attention and address the problem through the Hire One Hero program.
Source: Idaho 2013 State of the State Address
Jan 7, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018