Pat McCrory in 2015 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Tax & unemployment overhaul helped economic crisis recovery
Our spirit of resilience helped North Carolina recover from our economic crisis. When I took the oath of office in January, 2013, North Carolina taxes were among the highest in the Southeast. But working together, we passed historic tax reform that put
more money in people's paycheck. It was the first major overhaul of our tax system in nearly 80 years. And two years ago, because of our badly outdated unemployment insurance system our businesses owed the federal government $2.5 billion.
But drawing upon our resilience we reformed our unemployment program. We not only aligned our benefits with neighboring states, we also devised a plan to pay off our debt this year, a full 3 years ahead of schedule.
Now in North Carolina, not only do we balance our budget, but when we have a debt, we cut up the credit card and we pay it off. That's a lesson those in Washington need to learn.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Corporations:
NC Competes: promote long-term job growth in global market
Let's talk about jobs. As you know, the fight for jobs is global, played at the highest level, and the competition is on our heels. Our plan, "NC Competes," will promote long-term sustainable job growth and capital investment. It will encourage mid
and large scale manufacturing, because manufacturing is part of our DNA. It will leverage our university research advantage to attract venture capital and a new generation of entrepreneurs, as well as help retain North Carolina's home-grown talent.
This plan is based on a series of guiding principles--principles designed to grow North Carolina while protecting our taxpayers.
NC Competes recognizes the importance of economic strength in all regions but emphasizes support to areas of high unemployment. NC Competes will require strong financial safeguards to provide a positive return to state revenues.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Crime:
Celebrate police who come back stronger after getting shot
Two years ago, just before arriving to deliver the State of the State address, I received a phone call informing me that Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Potts was fighting for his life. You see, during a routine traffic stop on Highway 70, Trooper
Potts was shot four times. He was shot in his hands, shoulder and directly in his face. He was left for dead by the assailant. I traveled to Duke University Medical Center to visit Trooper Potts. Since the shooting, there have been surgeries, grueling
rehabilitative therapy and personal reassessment.Some advised Trooper Potts to turn in his badge and to pursue a safer line of work. But Trooper Potts did not walk away. Instead, he overcame his obstacles and today, he is assigned to the
North Carolina Highway Patrol Training Academy.
Like Trooper Potts, I'm proud to report the State of North Carolina has come back even stronger. Its people are resilient, and our future is bright.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Drugs:
Let's Talk It Out: campaign to stop underage drinking
An issue of critical importance to our young people: underage drinking and addiction. That's why we have launched a powerful campaign called "Let's Talk It Out" to start the conversation to stop underage drinking.
I hope you've seen those poignant television ads! This campaign is being led by one our state's great leaders, former Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner. Please join me in thanking Jim Gardner.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Health Care:
Healthy NC reform: controls costs & incentivizes providers
And the fourth focus will be healthcare. Our customer-first philosophy must translate into a "Patients First" philosophy for healthcare, as well. We hear from patients that health care is too hard to navigate.Our reform plan--under our Healthy NC
initiative--was developed in partnership with doctors, patients and healthcare providers across the state. This is physician-led reform. As part of this plan healthcare providers will share in the responsibility for reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary
use of services and working to keep people healthy and out of the emergency room.
Our Healthy NC reform plan puts patients first and controls costs for taxpayers, and incentivizes health care providers to coordinate care.
North Carolina's health care community has a long history of solving problems. Let's empower them to keep us healthy, and continue to make North Carolina an excellent place to practice medicine and produce new discoveries in treatment.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Health Care:
Reform Medicaid based on NC plan, not DC plan
Now last session, we came close to passing Medicaid reform, but progress stalled on the 1-yard-line. Let's not take another pass this year. Let's run it up the middle and win a victory for families across North Carolina.
As we review continue to review health care options for the uninsured, we are exploring North Carolina-based options that will help those who can't help themselves, and encourage those who can.
If we bring a proposal to cover the uninsured, it will protect North Carolina taxpayers. And any plan will require personal and financial responsibility from those who would be covered.
I will only recommend a North Carolina--not a Washington-- plan, so that we can put patients first!
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Homeland Security:
Establish state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
At a time when so many servicemen and women are coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq through North Carolina, we must have an efficient and well-coordinated process in place to meet the needs of active duty personnel and veterans.
These services are scattered across many areas of state government with no accountability, causing delay, frustration, and poor customer service.We are going to do more to strengthen our Veteran Affairs and the Office of my Military Advisor.
I am proposing the creation of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This department will be responsible for, protecting and
fighting our military bases, promoting the health and safety of our veterans and military families, helping our veterans get jobs, and working with the unique needs of base communities.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
On Technology:
Establish cabinet-level Department of Information Technology
One area where we've found a lot of inefficiency is in information technology. What we've found is that the piecemeal approach we've taken during the past decade to information technology has had disastrous results. 74% of the State's IT projects have
come in over budget and behind schedule.We found that the state has 40 data centers with over 1,000 different computer systems. That's hardly an example of efficiency.
We discovered that obvious opportunities to pool the purchasing power of several agencies are often bypassed.
My administration is going to insert accountability into out IT operations by proposing a new cabinet-level Department of Information
Technology. The IT professionals throughout the Cabinet agencies and departments of the Executive Branch will report to the new department. However, they will remain housed with their secretaries to provide in-house expertise and service.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 N.C. Legislature
Feb 4, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018