2014 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Budget & Economy


Matt Mead: Navigated recession while shrinking state government

Looking back at the last few years, we can see our state has navigated some hurdles:Clearing these hurdles allows us now to enjoy economic growth, higher revenue than was forecasted, and resilient communities. As a state, we have made remarkable progress. Achievements include:
  • improved infrastructure;
  • major broadband expansion--700% growth in access for students;
  • a pro-growth economic climate, nurtured by outreach efforts, targeted incentives, and support for communities, public-private partnerships, and local economic development groups; and
  • more efficient government through merging agencies, consolidating technology services, and reducing the state workforce and state rules.Regarding the workforce, in 2013 we have almost 300 fewer employees than we did when I took office. We are doing more with less.
    Source: 2014 State of the State address to Wyoming Legislature Feb 10, 2014

    Maggie Hassan: Invest to keep economy moving forward post-Recession

    We are out from under the greatest burdens of the recession. Now, we must keep our state and our economy moving forward, and for New Hampshire, the best way forward is always through.

    That starts with advancing the priorities that support innovative economic growth and help businesses create good jobs, the kind of jobs that will strengthen and grow our middle class.

    To build an even stronger workforce, we must keep more of our young people here in New Hampshire. We took an important step in that effort working together through the budget. We restored higher education funding and made it possible for our universities and community colleges to freeze in-state tuition.

    With bipartisan support, we increased funding for travel and tourism promotion, we put in place our first permanent director of economic development since 2008, we modernized our corporations act, and we doubled and made permanent our research and development tax credit.

    Source: 2014 State of the State address to Connecticut legislature Feb 6, 2014

    Pat Quinn: Hardest Hit: affordable homeownership in Great Recession

    Building the middle class means keeping families in their homes. Thousands of hardworking Illinois families were in danger of losing their homes in the Great Recession. But we worked to fight foreclosure and promote affordable homeownership.

    We launched the Illinois' Hardest Hit program to help working families keep their homes. More than 11,000 families, in nearly every county, have received the foreclosure prevention support they needed.

    We also launched Welcome Home Heroes to give military families an opportunity to buy a home after sacrificing so much to protect our freedom. Thanks to Welcome Home Heroes, 1,150 military families have accessed more than $140 million to help buy their homes.

    And we haven't forgotten about our neighbors with developmental disabilities. That's why we financed more than 2,100 new supportive housing units to provide individuals with disabilities more choices in their communities.

    Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Illinois legislature Jan 29, 2014

    Jerry Brown: Follow advice from Book of Genesis: out away some surplus

    While we know our revenues will fluctuate up and down, our long-term liabilities are enormous and ever growing. We also must account for future risks that could negatively affect our budgets like congressional decisions and natural disasters.

    So we can't go back to "business as usual." Boom and bust is our lot and we must follow the ancient advice, recounted in the Book of Genesis, that Joseph gave to the Pharaoh: Put away your surplus during the years of great plenty so you will be ready for the lean years which are sure to follow.

    Most governors and legislatures--in modern times--have forgotten this advice. This time we won't do that. We will pay down our debts and remember the lessons of history.

    Fiscal discipline is not the enemy of our democracy but its fundamental predicate. To avoid the mistakes of the past we must spend with great prudence and we must establish a solid rainy day fund, locked into the Constitution.

    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to California legislature Jan 22, 2014

    Scott Walker: Blueprint for Prosperity: Lower taxes & $100M Rainy Day fund

    Tonight, I propose a Blueprint for Prosperity, which will continue to improve our economy, while preserving our strong fiscal standing. Specifically, I ask you to work with me over the next few weeks to return the vast majority of the new surplus directly to the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin and to add more than $100 million to the state's rainy day fund. As it has over the past few years, lowering the tax burden will contribute to a stronger economy and a better fiscal situation in the future.

    Our Blueprint for Prosperity will put more than $800 million back into the hands of the hard-working taxpayers all across the state through tax cuts and withholding changes. Once passed, the total tax relief provided since I took office will be roughly $2 billion.

    1. We will reduce property taxes by $406 million.
    2. We will reduce income taxes by $98.6 million.
    3. We have adjusted withholding for state income taxes by $322.6 million.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature Jan 22, 2014

    Rick Snyder: Create an environment that encourages job growth

    Continuing the administration's laser focus on creating an environment that encourages job growth and prosperity includes supporting small businesses through creative partnerships. Under the Pure Michigan Micro Lending Initiative, Huntington Bank has committed $5 million for a pilot program in Detroit to help small businesses grow. Upon its successful completion, Huntington will commit $20 million more to be distributed through lines of credit to community micro lenders. Under another initiative, the 10,000 Small Businesses program, Goldman Sachs announced a $20 million partnership to help entrepreneurs in Detroit by providing access to education, financial and business support services.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Michigan legislature Jan 16, 2014

    Dave Heineman: Use $1.2 billion in cash reserves to reduce over-taxation

    The State of Nebraska has $1.2 billion in cash in its checking and savings accounts. That's right. As I stand before you today, the State of Nebraska has $1.2 billion in cash. Nebraska is over-taxing its citizens right now, and we need to change that. Our choices are clear. We can sit back, do nothing and put Nebraska's economic future at risk or we can act and secure a better tomorrow for Nebraska.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Nebraska legislature Jan 15, 2014

    Nathan Deal: We survived Great Recession, and reformed state government

    In January 2011, this Capitol building was engulfed in the worst snow and ice storm in several decades. In hindsight it was analogous to the deep freeze that had descended on the economies of the US and Georgia, which is sometimes referred to as the Great Recession.

    Although the sunny January days in Georgia melted the effects of our surprise storm, no such relief was forthcoming for the economy. Businesses closed; buildings became vacant; families lost their homes. Congress applied historical amounts of financial salt and sand, known as the stimulus, on the ice laden roads of commerce, but traffic still could not move. Georgia reduced spending and consumed cash reserves.

    I will not recount further the disastrous effects of the Great Recession on our citizens, some of which have left permanent scars. Instead, I want to tell you how our state government not only survived, but have reformed our operations in order to better serve our citizens.

    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 15, 2014

    Terry Branstad: Restored Iowa's rainy day and economic emergency funds

    Three years ago, like many other states, Iowa faced serious budget challenges. The path to prosperity was grim. Yet the charge to us was clear: restore predictability and stability to the state to get our fiscal house in order.

    Working together, we have done just that. We have passed two biennial budgets that restore predictability to the state budget. These are budgets that hard-working Iowa taxpayers can depend on, budgets that work for Iowans by prioritizing education, economic development and job training. Today, Iowa's rainy day and economic emergency funds are full and we are fortunate to have a healthy budget surplus. Iowa is working.

    Source: 2014 Iowa State of the State address Jan 14, 2014

    Jan Brewer: Fixed $3B deficit & replenished Rainy Day Fund

    I am proud to report to you today that Arizona's fiscal house is in order and, together, let's keep it that way. We've come a long way in a short time:
  • In 2009, Arizona's budget was irresponsibly drained. After years of unsustainable spending, we had the worst budget deficit of any state.
  • Today, we've reined in government spending by consolidating, eliminating and transforming our operations.
  • In 2009, Arizona had a $3 billion deficit.
  • Today, Arizona boasts a healthy state surplus and a replenished Rainy Day Fund.
  • Most impressively, we ended this past fiscal year with nearly 900 million dollars in the bank.
  • There is no doubt: Arizona is BACK ON TRACK!
  • We also remember that our state was swept up in some of the worst unemployment in our history, and Arizona businesses and families struggled to stay afloat.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Arizona legislature Jan 13, 2014

    John Hickenlooper: Increase budget reserves; extend job-creation tax credit

    The governor used the annual address to make 19 different "asks" of lawmakers. The governor will support legislation and seek approval from the General Assembly this year to: