2017 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Crime
John Bel Edwards:
Reduce incarceration rate of non-violent offenders
I'm asking that we work together to make Louisiana smart on crime. What we're doing now is not working for our state.Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the country, and we lock people up at a rate of nearly twice the national average.
But our crime rates are comparable to other southern states. As elected officials, we have an obligation to acknowledge when an aspect of our government is broken and we must work together to find a solution.
In 2015, we made a commitment to re-
If adopted into law, this package will safely reduce our prison population by 13%, and it will save taxpayers over $300 million over the next decade.
Source: 2017 Louisiana State of the State address
Apr 10, 2017
Jim Justice:
Stiffer laws for drug pushers; treatment for addicts
I want to fix the drug problem. If we don't fix the drug problem in this state, it will cannibalize you. We have to have stiffer laws. A drug pusher that rolls in here from Detroit and selling drugs, he ought to know that this is not going to be a fun
program if we catch him. We absolutely have to have a pathway to get our people that are hooked on these terrible drugs back into the community. We have to do something with all the prescription drugs. But we have to have treatment facilities too.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
Feb 8, 2017
Larry Hogan:
Justice for Victims Initiative: protect vulnerable citizens
Last year, we worked across the aisle to enact the Justice Reinvestment Act, which is the most important criminal justice reform in a generation. We worked to pass Noah's Law, named after Montgomery County police office--and a true Maryland hero--
Noah Leotta. We have already accomplished a great deal. But together, we can--and we must--do more.
This year, we plan to enact our Justice for Victims Initiative to improve services for the victims of crimes and to reduce the number of future victims of crime. We need to enact the Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act of 2017, the
Protecting Victims of Sex Trafficking Act, and the Repeat Drunk Driving Offenders Act. All of this legislation will help make Maryland safer and will protect the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Maryland Legislature
Feb 1, 2017
Greg Abbott:
Make it a hate crime to target uniformed police officers
Unbelievably, last year ambush-style killings of police increased more than 150 percent. These murders had one thing in common: The victims were killed because of the uniform they wear.Texas will not tolerate attacks on law enforcement officers.
We will rise up as a state in support our law enforcement. I want legislation that increases penalties and makes it a hate crime for criminals who target peace officers simply because of their uniform.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Texas Legislature
Jan 31, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Close outdated prisons; focus on reducing recidivism
It is a social justice issue to ensure that we provide a means for those in our criminal justice system to rehabilitate and return to productive lives. Over the past two years our Administration has worked to reform our criminal justice system, reduce
recidivism and address underlying behavioral and mental health issues for those in our systems of care, in order to keep our communities safer.
We're making great strides in implementing initial recommendations from our Commission on Criminal Justice Reform--helping non-violent ex-offenders get back on their feet and giving them meaningful skills to find employment.
We've shuttered the outdated Roundhouse at Stateville Prison while repurposing two other facilities in Murphysboro and Kewanee as life skill centers to help non-violent offenders return to the work force more effectively.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Illinois Legislature
Jan 25, 2017
Bruce Rauner:
Police trooper surge to counter Chicago violence
Sadly, our progress in reducing non-violent crime is overshadowed by the skyrocketing rate of violent crime in Chicago. The violence occurring in Chicago every night is intolerable; we've got to bring it to an end. Violence experts say there's no single
cause and no single solution. But with the right mix of policies, we can and must find solutions to curb the violence. At the Illinois State Police, we're providing the Chicago Police Department with a wide range of resources--and we stand ready
to do more wherever and whenever called upon. Our troopers have already surged to counter the violence that's spilled over to our expressways--and we're committed to hiring more State Police officers to help patrol Chicago expressways, and other high
violence areas.
Law enforcement plays a critical role in violence reduction--but in the end, it's a treatment, not a cure. Addressing the roots of this plague will take much more: to restore hope where hope has been lost.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Illinois Legislature
Jan 25, 2017
Phil Scott:
Close Windsor prison; expand home detention monitoring
We've found commonsense adjustments in our corrections system. The correctional facility in Windsor has the highest per-capita costs of any male facility across the state. We have a plan to close it, and transfer each inmate. This move will save
$3.5 million.In addition, we will expand the State's Electronic Monitoring and Home Detention program using existing resources. Implementing 24/7 electronic monitoring statewide will reduce the out-of-state caseload.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Brian Sandoval:
Reform juvenile justice system to reduce recidivism
A group of legislators, judges and policy makers studied our juvenile justice system and concluded it is in need of reform. They found that state and county agencies spent $95 million on the supervision of justice-involved youth, yet across our state
there is no standardized method to track outcomes, or ensure that evidence-based practices are being utilized.We know that some youth have multiple encounters with the courts, often leading to long-term supervision & incarceration. We can do better.
That's why I'm introducing the Juvenile Justice System Reform Act, which streamlines and standardizes criteria to match youth with the most effective services.
To that end, my budget includes $1.5 million to implement a statewide risk assessment program. These changes should result in reduced recidivism rates and improved outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Nevada Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Eric Greitens:
Fight Ferguson Effect with Blue Alert to empower police
Three of the eleven most violent cities in America are in Missouri--St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield. This violence affects far too many families--mine included. And it's not just in the cities. When you talk to sheriffs, chiefs of police, and
front line officers around the state, they'll tell you it's getting harder to do police work. They'll tell you about what the FBI has identified: The Ferguson Effect.They'll tell you that it's harder to recruit people to become police officers, and
the officers who are on the job feel less empowered to proactively police. I want to establish a Blue Alert system, so that we can find and bring swift justice to anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer. And my administration will work to pass the
toughest laws in the country for anyone who assaults a peace officer. We need to make sure that our state highway patrol, that our corrections officers, have nonlethal tools like TASERs and adequate body armor when they are called to go into harm's way.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Phil Bryant:
More Highway Patrol troopers on the road
We are in desperate need of a new trooper school. Currently, the Mississippi Highway Patrol stands at 161 troopers less than is statutorily allowed. Fortunately, this is not a dictatorial formula.
However, the safety of the motoring public and the troopers serving rests with your decision. I ask you tonight to back the badge of our troopers and put more of them on the road.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Mississippi Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Susana Martinez:
Collect DNA from felons
We funded bold education reform; passed stricter penalties on repeat DWI offenders; expanded Katie's law to collect DNA from felons; passed Jaydon's Law to give judges the entire criminal history of offenders; protected victims of sexual assault with
Rachael's Law; and ended the dangerous practice of giving drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants. We can address challenges while protecting the progress we've made.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to New Mexico Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Peter Ricketts:
Automated sentence calculation for Department of Corrections
[Regarding] the Department of Corrections, we made significant progress in an agency that had been neglected for years. In addition to providing for the basic needs of more than 5,300 inmates,
Corrections successfully launched an automated sentence calculation program, implemented the first-ever risks/needs assessment tool, reformed restrictive housing, completed a culture study and staffing analysis, expanded mental health and
cognitive behavioral programming, created mission specific housing, and developed an inmate health plan while addressing pay and quality of life issues for Corrections officers.
With this budget proposal, we will reduce protective services vacancy rates, upgrade technology, and improve the Lincoln Correctional Center.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Nebraska Legislature
Jan 12, 2017
Nathan Deal:
20% pay raise for state-level law enforcement
In September of this past year, we announced a 20 percent pay raise for state-level law enforcement. These brave men and women don a badge and vest each day as they go to face uncertainty on their shifts in service of their fellow citizens.
They protect our lives and property, and it is only fitting that they should be paid a competitive salary.I am told that in the month following this announcement, Georgia State Patrol had more trooper applications than in the entire previous year.
The second component of that law enforcement improvement announcement was an expansion of training on deescalating violence, community policing and alternatives to deadly force as well as providing access to local law enforcement for
Crisis Intervention Training, which provides instruction on how to safely handle situations involving those with mental impairment.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Terry McAuliffe:
Lowest adult recidivism rate in America
I am particularly proud of the work we have done on cyber security. This is a critical issue for Virginia. Last year, we experienced more than 70 million cyber-attacks, or one every 4 seconds. We have a responsibility to
protect our data from cyber criminals and to realize the economic opportunity this industry presents. We made Virginia safer by reforming our juvenile justice system, and posting the lowest adult recidivism rate in America.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Virginia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Asa Hutchinson:
Balance public safety with giving a second chance in life
We need to continue looking at our criminal justice system in this state to assure that our incarceration policies are right--
to assure that our policy is balanced between public safety and giving those a second chance in life who have fulfilled their responsibilities to society.
Source: 2017 Arkansas State of the State address
Jan 10, 2017
Chris Christie:
Ban the box: don't ask job applicants about criminal record
Whether leaving a treatment center to a sober living home or leaving prison after having received treatment for the disease that led you to a life of crime, the road to recovery is made even longer and the road to relapse even shorter if the person in
recovery cannot find a job. We now have a criminal justice system that will permit our judges to keep the truly dangerous sociopath behind bars, and will release those non-violent offenders who have only remained in jail because they are poor.
We know the greatest predictor of personal success in every way is a job. Employment is a long term factor towards reducing recidivism. Thanks to our bi-partisan efforts, we have "banned the box", which was a barrier to employment [referring to
hiring application forms which had a check box asking if applicants have a criminal record].
There are many more barriers, which is why we will be working to challenge long accepted exclusions for employment of the formerly incarcerated.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to N.J. Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Dennis Daugaard:
Make mugshots and pardon process open to the public
An important component of Better Government is to be more open, accountable, and accessible. We recently launched an online pardon application site--making South Dakota the first state in the nation with a completely online pardon application process.
This year, I will also be supporting the proposal to make booking photographs--also known as mugshots--open to the public, as in most states.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to South Dakota Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Fully fund rape test kits, to finally ensure justice
Public safety will always be our top priority. We addressed an injustice long ignored: The backlog of untested rape kits in our state. The problem was so bad, we didn't even know how many existed. So we committed to fixing it, and already there have
been two indictments as a result of this important work. My budget fully funds the testing of all remaining rape kits. And we are ready to move forward with legislation requiring all future kits to be tested. Let's get this done, and for the thousands
of women who have been victimized, finally ensure justice.My budget will also include an investment in improved cyber security. We couldn't accomplish any of these achievements around public safety without the work of our law enforcement
agencies throughout the state. We are truly indebted to the thousands of women and men who wake up every day and put on blue. Our cops, working 24/7 to keep Arizona safe, stop the bad guys, and hunt down the criminals.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Dan Malloy:
Prison population has dropped AND recidivism has declined
On the criminal justice front, Connecticut is leading the nation, and is now safer than it has been in fifty years.Our prison population has dropped significantly, and high-risk, violent offenders are serving more of their sentence than ever before.
Recidivism has declined substantially. This progress has allowed us to save taxpayers $70 million in the current fiscal year.
All of this is making Connecticut a better, more desirable place to work and live.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Connecticut Legislature
Jan 4, 2017
Doug Burgum:
Jail time without rehab is not a cure for addiction
In his first State of the State address, Governor Doug Burgum urged North Dakotans to embrace change; rethink budgeting, education, addiction treatment, tribal relations.As drug addiction and overdoses take their toll on North Dakota families,
Burgum said the state must start treating addiction differently. Sixty-one people died in North Dakota in 2015 from overdoses, and more than $260 million was spent in the past decade on new jails at the city, county and state levels, he noted.
"Many of those in our system are there because of crimes rooted in addiction. Jail time without rehab is not a cure for addiction,"
Burgum said. "We need to start treating addiction like the chronic disease that it is. By moving resources upstream, we will save lives and save money."
Source: 2017 State of the State address to North Dakota Legislature
Jan 3, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018