2016 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Families & Children


Jack Markell: Increase access to effective contraception for women

Delaware has one of the highest unplanned pregnancy rates in the country--57%. Research shows that most unplanned pregnancies occur because women are using a method of contraception that isn't very effective. There are new methods that are much more effective than the pill but here our healthcare system doesn't make it easy to choose these. That's why the state is launching a partnership with the national nonprofit Upstream USA, to train our healthcare providers so that all Delaware women can conveniently access the most effective contraceptive options, at low or no-cost.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

Jay Nixon: We need childcare and parental leave

Another way we can continue to strengthen our economy is by strengthening Missouri families. Finding good, affordable childcare is a challenge for every working family in America--and especially those with low incomes. That's why my budget makes child care more affordable for 20,000 low-income working families, reducing their out-of-pocket costs. And this year, we are going to expand family-friendly policies like parental leave for state employees.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Missouri legislature Jan 20, 2016

Jay Nixon: Made insurance cover therapy for autism

When I took office, insurance companies didn't cover therapy for thousands of Missouri kids with autism. Today, thousands of children are receiving life-changing therapy because we worked together and passed landmark autism legislation. And with increased funding in my budget, we will build a new autism.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Missouri legislature Jan 20, 2016

Susana Martinez: Each image of child porn should count as its own crime

Those who possess child pornography should face the full weight and serious force of the law. But that's not happening in New Mexico because our Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors no longer have the option to charge someone in possession of child pornography with multiple counts based on the number of images they have. They said our laws aren't clear enough to allow that, and rather than clarify it, some in the Legislature have refused to act. We must close the child pornography loophole.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Mexico legislature Jan 19, 2016

Terry Branstad: Judicial discretion in releasing individual juvenile records

Currently, juvenile delinquency records are public records meaning that a minor theft or minor drug possession can haunt a person for the rest of their life. We must examine whether these policies are truly protecting the public, or simply blocking a path to future career success for impacted Iowans. These records should remain confidential unless a judge specifically finds that disclosure is in the best interest of the child and the public.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Iowa legislature Jan 12, 2016

Doug Ducey: Publicly shame fathers behind on child support

For fathers out there who aren't meeting their child support obligations--for too long, you've been able to remain anonymous--able to skirt your financial and legal responsibilities with no shame. Not anymore. Effective immediately, the state is going to begin posting the photos, names and money owed by these losers to social media, with the hash-tag "deadbeat." It's simple. If you're old enough to father a child, then you're old enough to accept financial responsibility for that child.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Arizona legislature Jan 11, 2016

  • The above quotations are from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Families & Children.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Chris Christie on Families & Children.
  • Click here for more quotes by Terry McAuliffe on Families & Children.
Candidates and political leaders on Families & Children:

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 09, 2018