Greg Abbott in 2015 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Constitutional amendment to limits growth of state budget

Many of us have ridiculed states like California and Illinois as bastions of failed big government. You'll be surprised to learn that Texas has more full-time state employees per capita than California and Illinois. That's shocking--it must be changed.

That's why my budget requires most state agencies to reduce their general revenue spending by three percent. Some of those cuts can come from hiring freezes and reductions in fuel and travel costs.

On Civil Rights: Wife is first Hispanic First Lady in Texas history

Let me start by recognizing someone who represents the richness of our heritage, our culture, the strength of our values and the promise that is Texas--the first Hispanic First Lady in Texas--my wife, Cecilia.

I'm proud to report that the state of Texas is strong and together we're about to make it stronger.

On Corporations: $2 billion reduction in the business franchise tax

My plan calls for a $2 billion reduction in the business franchise tax and a $2.2 billion reduction in the property tax burden. My budget includes an appropriation that makes school districts whole for any tax revenue they might lose.

On Drugs: Respond to the evil threat posed by drug cartels

We will not fail my fellow Texans. We will do what the federal government has failed to do. We will secure our border.

On Education: Additional funding for schools to adopt high-quality Pre-K

To begin that process, my budget provides additional funding for schools that adopt high-quality Pre-K programs. My plan also provides Pre-K through 3rd grade teachers with world-class literacy and math teacher training.

To begin the process of building a better education system in Texas, we must improve early education. This is why I'm declaring early education as my first emergency item as governor. Our children and their future have no time for delay.

On Education: Ensure having the best teachers by saying NO to Common Core

We must also return genuine local control to our schools. This book contains all the education-related laws in Texas. It's absurd to micromanage educators with all of these laws. Let's cut it down to size by allowing school districts to opt out of parts of the education code so they can design an education plan that best fits their community needs.

Local control, however, doesn't end at the school district level. Real local control rests with parents. The ultimate parental involvement is giving parents more choices in their child's education.

On Homeland Security: Exempt veterans from state business fees

My budget also exempts new businesses formed by veterans from paying state franchise taxes for the first 5 years, and I'm calling for legislation to waive licensing exams and fees for veterans with the required education, training and practical experience gained in the military. If the training you received as an electrician, a technician or some other job meets the standard of the United States military, it should be good enough for the State of Texas.

On Immigration: 500 new state troopers plus Texas Rangers at the border

In Texas, we will not sit idly by while the President ignores the law and fails to secure the border. That's why I have a comprehensive border security plan, to more than double current spending on border security. It adds 500 new state troopers, more Texas Rangers who can focus on corruption, more funding for local law enforcement and more technology to stop transnational criminal activity that threatens every community in Texas.

But the reality is that DPS cannot recruit, train and deploy 500 new troopers overnight. It takes time to ramp up. That's why this morning, I ordered the Texas National Guard to remain deployed on the border until my security plan is implemented.

On Technology: Proposition 1: the people have demanded $4B for roads

My budget adds more than $4 billion a year to build more roads in Texas without raising taxes, fees, tolls or debt. This funding comes from 3 places: One is the funding received from Proposition 1. Two, it ends diversions of state highway funds-- tax dollars paid for roads should be spent on roads. Third, my plan constitutionally dedicates one-half of the existing motor vehicle sales tax to fund roads.

The plan--including the constitutional amendment--is needed to ensure TxDOT has the sustainable, recurring and predictable revenue needed to plan large-scale, multi-year construction projects. Regardless of the priorities that may exist in this Capitol, the voters made unequivocally clear their priority--they want roads funded.