2014 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Principles & Values


Rick Scott: As newlyweds, opened a donut shop with wife and their moms

I want to share with you the story of a young man who lived in public housing as a kid. Who never knew his natural father. Who saw his adopted dad struggle to keep a job. And who remembers the heartbreak on his parents' faces when the family car was repossessed.

This young man joined the US Navy after high school. Newly married, he left his young bride in their tiny apartment almost 2,000 miles from their home while he went off to sea. They didn't have much money, so they used the camping equipment they got for wedding gifts as furniture.

This young couple was thrifty. They eventually saved enough money to open a small business. They worked at this business themselves, along with both of their moms. After a while, the business started making money and they added another location.

That young couple is still young at heart, even though they have now been married over 40 years. That small business was a donut shop--and that is the story of how Ann and I opened our first business.

Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Florida legislature Mar 4, 2014

Matt Mead: First Lady Carol works on literacy via Eat.Read.Grow program

The First Lady and the Marathon Team: I recognize my wife Carol for her work on literacy, the Eat.Read.Grow program, and the publication of Wyoming Firsts, a book for children, illustrated by Wyoming high school students.

I also recognize the team of 11 Wyoming runners, including Carol, who completed the New York City marathon last fall. The team raised $31,000 for the Wyoming Remember the 8 Endowment. The endowment supports programs to prevent alcohol use by high school students and to encourage responsible alcohol use by college students of legal drinking age. Thank you. For running for a worthy cause, I commend you.

Source: 2014 State of the State address to Wyoming Legislature Feb 10, 2014

Dan Malloy: Don't listen to the critics; Connecticut is moving forward

Teddy Roosevelt said a century ago that it's not the critic who counts, but those who strive to do great things. We hear plenty of critics now. Even as sunshine begins to break through the clouds, there are some intent on hoping for thunderstorms. We should not listen. Connecticut is moving forward.

I spoke about the work we've done to partner with Connecticut small businesses. Will every single one of those investments pay off? Of course not. And if one fails, the critics would say that's reason enough to stop investing in small businesses altogether. We should not listen. Connecticut is moving forward.

And now, during this session, those critics will say that for one reason or another that we can't increase the minimum wage, that we can't expand access to early childhood education, that we can't find ways to make college more affordable. I say they're wrong. Connecticut must move forward, because the people of our state have sacrificed, & now they deserve to share in our emerging recovery

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

Maggie Hassan: We do democracy better: we argue but then solve problems

Many of our challenges will require tough choices and even tougher votes. There will be times when reaching consensus seems impossible, when debates and arguments may get heated.

But what matters--to our economy, to our businesses, to the people of our state--is what we do after we argue. Building on our progress and accelerating our economic recovery will require us to set aside preconceived notions. We will need to be rigorous in examining our own long-held positions. We will have to work to identify our common ground--and then seize upon it.

I like to say that, in New Hampshire, we do democracy better than anyplace else. In the past year, we have proven this to be true despite our status as one of the few states with a legislature split between the parties.

Unlike Washington, we have shown time and again that we are capable of engaging with each other, putting arguments aside and coming together to solve problems, leading to progress for our businesses and families.

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

Paul LePage: We can do better than same failed policies of past 40 years

Our administration is working hard so young Mainers can continue to live and work in our state. We want our young families to enjoy a growing economy that allows them to prosper and succeed.

Mainers are a breed apart. Many of us value our individuality. We work hard. We take care of each other. I love my state. I am proud to call myself a Mainer. I want every Mainer to succeed and prosper. But Maine is at a crossroads. We have huge challenges.

Higher taxes and bloated government have not improved our lives. Higher energy costs have not attracted major investments to Maine. More welfare has not led to prosperity. It has not broken the cycle of generational poverty.

We cannot return to the same failed policies of the past 40 years. We are better than that. We must be bold. We must have the courage to make the tough decisions. We can do better. We will do better.

Source: 2014 State of the State speech to Me. legislature Feb 4, 2014

Bill Haslam: Tennessee--America at Its Best: we are a model to the nation

I want to take you back 50 years to 1963. Merritt Potter, a Kingsport realtor, entered a contest to come up with a slogan to promote Tennessee. He won, and the prize was a $21,000 savings bond. A bill was introduced in the General Assembly to adopt it as the state's official slogan. It passed and was signed into law.

Fifty years later, Merritt Potter's words are still our state's official slogan, and they still are true: "Tennessee--America at Its Best." Today in Tennessee we are more than a slogan. We think we are a model to the nation in so many ways.

Source: 2014 State of the State address to Tennessee legislature Feb 3, 2014

Pat Quinn: Say "no" to world of powerful feeding upon the powerless

Pope Francis has urged all of us to say "No" to a financial system which rules rather than serves. "No" to an economy of exclusion and inequality. "No" to a world in which "the powerful feed upon the powerless." And the Pope is right.

Illinois is best served when we build and protect the middle class and when we open the door to those struggling to join it. By creating more jobs, making early childhood education a top priority, and building an economy that works for everyone--we can create a stronger economy than ever before and reform Illinois for the next generation. So I ask today for your partnership.

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

Jack Markell: Unleashing the potential in every Delawarean

Years from now--after the roads have been built; after today's kindergartners have retired from jobs we helped create; after our cities thrive and our waters run clean; the people of Delaware may not remember us by name. But they will know that our focus was to unleash the potential of every Delawarean.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature Jan 23, 2014

Phil Bryant: Four fundamental beliefs guide our plan for the future

We understand that a vision without action is just an illusion, so we set about with four fundamental beliefs guiding our plan for the future.
  1. We believe every Mississippian should have the opportunity to be gainfully employed right here at home;
  2. Every Mississippian must have the opportunity to learn from the best educational system we can offer;
  3. We believe that every Mississippian deserves to be born into a mature, two-parent family;
  4. We believe that every Mississippian should be certain that his or her tax dollars are put to proper use. I believe that these four goals achieved together will create a Mississippi of limitless opportunity. Let us see how the plan has worked thus far.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature Jan 22, 2014

    Phil Bryant: Add 'In God We Trust' to Mississippi State Seal

    I continue to believe this is the right time to stand for our beliefs--our faith, our families, and our nation. To strengthen our resolve, I have asked that we take a bold step for God and country. I have called for legislation that would change the wording on the Great Seal of the State of Mississippi to reflect our nation's motto. With your help, the seal of the State of Mississippi will, from this session forward, reflect the simple yet profound words 'In God We Trust'.
    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Mississippi legislature Jan 22, 2014

    Jay Nixon: Our legacy is measured by lasting impact on our communities

    One year ago, many of us gathered in St. Louis to mourn the loss of an icon--Missouri's adopted son, Stan Musial. He was known to say, "Every day you put this jersey on, it's a privilege."

    The same can be said for all of us in this room. Every day when you put that pin on your lapel, and enter these doors to do the people's business, it's a privilege. And with that privilege comes responsibility. It's easy to get caught up in the controversy of the hour. Or the latest tweet. But we must be bigger than that, because the work we do here is very, very real [to Missourians]. And their state government has been with them every step of the way -because that's what we do. That's why we serve. We're here to make a difference for those who work hard and need a hand--often times for people we'll never meet. Because the legacy we leave will not be measured by votes on Election Day or back-slaps in these hallways--it will be measured by the lasting impact we have on the communities we serve.

    Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Missouri legislature Jan 21, 2014

    Sam Brownback: Our dependence is not on Big Government but on a Big God

    Today, the nation dithers while the path forward seems uncharted. America can't decide which way to go. Yet, the path forward is clear. Kansas is leading an American Renaissance--a return to the virtue and character that built this state and a great nation in the first place.

    The path is NOT uncharted. We know the way. We must re-drill the wells that gave us life the first time. They will refresh and renew us again!

    We rebuild our families so that [future] Kansans can know the value of a family---none of which is perfect. Yet we all aspire in them to be better, virtuous, just and righteous... that we might be blessed and a blessing.

    Our dependence is not on Big Government but on a Big God that loves us and lives within us. Our future is bright. Our renaissance is assured IF we move from dithering to action. Which way to choose? We know the way. God wrote it in our hearts.

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

    Terry Branstad: The Iowa Dream: working hard; working together

    A sense of community and collaboration defines us as Iowans. As we've demonstrated before, we should again attack our problems with the same common sense and seriousness as Iowans across our state:To me, this is the Iowa Dream. That dream of opportunity and prosperity which can become a reality for every Iowan willing to work for it. The seeds of that dream have been planted with our work over the past three years. But now we must cultivate that dream of opportunity--of a great job and a great place to raise a family--so that it can grow and flourish. The simple truth is we Iowans are a people of faith, of tenacity who each year plant the seeds of our livelihood with the devout belief that with hard work and the grace of God we will reap a bountiful harvest.
    Source: 2014 Iowa State of the State address Jan 14, 2014

    John Hickenlooper: Operate government with more common sense and less nonsense

    I took what you might call an unconventional path into running for office. I started out here in Colorado as a geologist. During a downturn, everyone in our company got laid off.

    Next thing I knew I was making beer and starting a brewpub business. It turned out pretty well. But as every small business person knows, it's not easy out there, especially when bureaucracy gets in the way.

    I didn't run for public office until I was 50. Before that, I'd never run for anything. Not even in high school. I ran for public office as a small businessman. I thought government needed to operate with more common sense and less nonsense. So while we have been doing all we can to make it as easy as possible for business to succeed in Colorado we also have been streamlining the state government, making it more efficient.

    Source: 2014 State of the State address to Colorado Legislature Jan 9, 2014

    Steve Beshear: Focus on helping people instead of on keeping power

    In the last few years, the tone of discourse in this country has grown louder, uglier and more hateful. In Washington, you find leaders focused on keeping power, not helping people. They point fingers instead of reaching across the aisle. They tear down instead of building up. And they preach intolerance instead of inclusion. That's why we have government shutdowns, filibusters, continuation budgets and a myriad other examples of counter-productive gamesmanship.

    And out here in the rest of the country, too often office holders and voters have let themselves get caught up in this "take no prisoners" approach to politics. We're losing the ability to listen; we're losing the ability to treat each other's opinions with respect and to overcome differences. We must resolve not to let that happen here in Kentucky. We must remember that we are Kentuckians first and Democrats and Republicans second.

    Source: 2014 Kentucky State of the State speech Jan 7, 2014

    Butch Otter: Put aside partisanship & ambition in public interest

    The kind of conservative, sustainable policies I [propose] are the best way to protect our traditional values while strengthening the foundation of our future. They are the product of tested, proven leadership that both honors and reflects our confidence in the people we serve. Our path is as straightforward but as challenging as living within our means. It is as simple but as complex as making government better without growing it bigger. It will require us to put aside partisanship and personal ambition in the public interest. And in this even-numbered year it will demand of us a willingness to look beyond the next election to Idaho's next generation.

    Here in Idaho, let us work together to make our State government more about building partnerships for growth and less about imposing limits on opportunity. That's my hope and my goal as your Governor, for this session and beyond. More importantly, it is our shared charge and our sworn responsibility as public servants.

    Source: 2014 Idaho State of the State speech Jan 6, 2014

    • The above quotations are from 2014 Governor's State of the State speeches.
    • Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values.
    • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
    • Click here for more quotes by Earl Ray Tomblin on Principles & Values.
    • Click here for more quotes by Andrew Cuomo on Principles & Values.
    Candidates and political leaders on Principles & Values:

    Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
    GA:Chambliss(R)
    IA:Harkin(D)
    MI:Levin(D)
    MT:Baucus(D)
    NE:Johanns(R)
    OK:Coburn(R)
    SD:Johnson(D)
    WV:Rockefeller(D)

    Resigned from 113th House:
    AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
    FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
    LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
    MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
    MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
    NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
    SC-1:Tim Scott(R)     		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
    AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
    GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
    GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
    GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
    HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
    IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
    LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
    ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
    MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
    MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
    OK-5:James Lankford(R)
    PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
    TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
    WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)     		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
    AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
    AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
    CA-11:George Miller(D)
    CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
    CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
    CA-45:John Campbell(R)
    IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
    MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
    NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
    NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
    NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
    NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
    NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
    PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
    UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
    VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
    VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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    Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018