Jack Markell in 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Corporations: Reduce regulatory burdens on business

Our employers and entrepreneurs expect Delaware to be an affordable, welcoming place to do business. That's why we have taken major steps to ease regulatory burdens. We've invested in broadband deployment in southern Delaware and increased access to capital for hundreds of start-ups and small companies--but we can do more. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Corporations: Ease restrictions on crowdfunding

Congress has given states the flexibility to permit citizens to more easily invest in startups. Much of this investing can be done through what is known as crowdfunding--a way for entrepreneurs to connect with investors. Through crowdfunding, companies raise billions--this year the amount of investment is expected to exceed the funding provided through traditional sources like venture capital. But our laws prevent our citizens from using crowdfunding to its full potential to help Delaware businesses. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Crime: Increase services for prisoners to reduce recidivism

Through the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, we've given courts risk assessment tools to help determine whether a defendant can remain in the community while awaiting trial. And we have supported community-based supervision programs as effective alternatives to incarceration for lower-risk offenders. More than 95% of offenders will eventually leave prison. That's why we have begun to implement a more just and cost-effective criminal justice system that provides treatment and job training to prepare inmates to contribute to our state when released. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Crime: Make it easier for felons to vote

Right now, a person with a felony conviction can vote as soon as his or her probation is complete, but only if he or she has paid all fines and fees. People should pay up, but their ability to participate in democracy should not depend on their ability to pay. Let's join the more than 40 other states that have no financial bar to exercising the most American of rights, the right to vote. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Education: Support IT education in schools

We're putting a special focus on our growing IT sector. Through our computer science pathway and other high level courses, we've increased the number of high school students studying computer programming from about 80 to 560 in just the last two years. Our goal is 1,000 students by September. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Education: Make university scholarships less restrictive

Nearly 20,000 Delawareans have received full scholarships toward degrees at Delaware Tech, UD, and Delaware State. But we can do better. Some students who need these scholarships the most can't access them, despite meeting academic requirements, because current rules mandate that they attend school full-time and without interruption. I ask the General Assembly to make these scholarships more universal by expanding their benefits to part-time students and those who must take a break from their studies. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Education: Increase teacher compensation

We have a responsibility to ensure that the best and brightest enter teaching, and get the support they need once they arrive in the classroom. That's why my budget will include funding to raise starting salaries to be more competitive with our neighbors. And we will pilot opportunities for educators to earn more for taking on leadership responsibilities, without leaving the classroom for administrative positions. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Families & Children: 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

On Health Care: Reduce costs by moving away from fee-for-service model

Employers, hospitals, physicians, and behavioral health specialists have spent thousands of hours on plans to move away from an expensive fee-for-service model & toward a system that emphasizes quality outcomes at an affordable cost. Today's system does virtually nothing to help people focus on costs, so we'll give employees the information and better incentives to choose cost-effective, high quality care--like using urgent care instead of the emergency room or telemedicine instead of an office visit. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Principles & Values: Religious tolerance is cornerstone of US value system

The recognition of the discriminatory sins of prior generations presents an opportunity to reflect on whether we have learned history's lessons--whether we are living up to our core values of opportunity & equality for all people. The suggestion by some that one's eligibility to enter this country should be subject to a religious test represents a dangerous path. Because while racial and religious tolerance may not always have been our history, that is the future in which we want our children to live. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

On Tax Reform: Reduce corporate tax to increase competitiveness

It's also time for us to modernize our tax code to promote job creation. I applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Delaware Competes Act, which recognizes that we must change our corporate income tax laws so that Delaware is more competitive--and so that companies have a bigger incentive to expand in our state. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Delaware legislature Jan 21, 2016

The above quotations are from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2016 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Jack Markell. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018