Earl Ray Tomblin in 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches


On Corporations: Saved businesses $548M on taxes and workers' comp

We overhauled workers' compensation and companies operating here have saved more than $323 million since the program was privatized in 2006. We've enacted gradual reductions in our business and consumer taxes, and since I took office, we've saved employers and West Virginians more than $225 million. We rank higher than each of our neighboring states in this year's Business Tax Climate Index.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to West Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2016

On Crime: Take preventative approach to juvenile justice

Following recommendations from my Commission on Juvenile we launched comprehensive juvenile justice reform that provided $600,000 in new funding to establish truancy diversion programs in each county. Since launching its own program in 2010, Putnam County has seen significant improvements in overall student attendance and achievement. Truancy referrals have dropped in half and four-year graduation rates have increased from 78% to 90% during that same period.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to West Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2016

On Drugs: Prioritize combating substance abuse from many angles

We must continue to make the fight against substance abuse a top priority. In 2011, I established my Advisory Council on Substance Abuse to help us find more localized ways to combat this epidemic. Since then, we have updated our prescription drug monitoring program, cracked down on the sale of drugs used to make meth and put an end to doctor shopping. We have shut down pill mills for irresponsible prescription practices, and my administration is committed to continuing the fight against drug companies that oversupply pain medication without proper orders. Last year, we invested significant state funding to expand critical substance abuse treatment and recovery services. This September, we launched 844-HELP-4-W-V, the state's first 24-hour substance abuse help line.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to West Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2016

On Drugs: Behavioral therapies MUST accompany anti-addiction meds

Tonight, I'm introducing legislation to establish licensing requirements for medication-assisted treatment facilities. Research shows us that the use of Suboxone and Methadone alone does not support long-term recovery. This legislation requires counseling and behavioral therapies be used in conjunction with these medications to make sure those seeking treatment have the support they need to begin the recovery process.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to West Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2016

On Education: Create rewards program to educational innovation

While there are reasons why traditional charter schools are not the best option for our students, we can find common ground by rewarding schools for innovation and creativity while raising student achievement. I'm introducing legislation to establish a new program--Innovation in Education. This will reallocate nearly $2.5 million in existing education funding to help schools develop new methods to increase our students' interest in science, technology, engineering, math and entrepreneurship.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to West Virginia legislature Jan 13, 2016

The above quotations are from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches.
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018