2017 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Welfare & Poverty

John Kasich: Welfare without a path to work doesn't work

When I'm gone, you've got to expand this thing. We can't have people just going in and people checking boxes. We have to bring back caseworkers, and we've got to get at the root cause of why people are stuck.

Roy Cooper: Create affordable, available housing for disaster recovery

In just the past couple of months, we've been able to repair and reopen more than 100 roads, and help hundreds of families return home or find other places to live. But nearly 600 households are still in need of permanent housing. We will not forget these families, and must keep working together to help them.

One thing that has become clear during the disaster recovery is the lack of affordable, available housing in eastern NC that has hindered relocation efforts. That's why I am asking you to work with me to restore allowing the use of federal money for housing so we can start to build our way out of this affordable housing shortage.

Phil Scott: $35 million housing bond for full spectrum of housing

Brian Sandoval: $1.5M more for Meals-on-Wheels for seniors

Also in my budget is $1.5 million in new funding for the successful Meals on Wheels program. Helping our senior citizens lead independent, meaningful and dignified lives needs to be a priority for all of us.

Phil Bryant: Create the Mississippi Faith-Based Advisory Council

Similar councils exist in a number of other states. I believe it will be a valuable tool to help serve our families and individuals in need.

John Hickenlooper: Use marijuana tax revenue to address chronic homelessness

We currently spend more than $40,000 per person to perpetuate lives of misery among the chronically homeless. But for less than a third of that we could invest up front in housing, wraparound supportive services and job training. In every booming economy in the country--like ours--homelessness of all types is a growing concern.

John Hickenlooper: More affordable housing via construction defects legislation

Too many people and not enough units adds up to unaffordable rents and skyrocketing home prices. I've said it before: we need more affordable housing. Part of the answer is the construction defects legislation we almost passed last year and we WILL pass this year.

Doug Ducey: 12 months extra food stamps if you're looking for a job

So why not reward those who are making an honest effort to get off unemployment, or food stamps, or welfare. Those who are looking for work, making sure the kids do their homework, and trying to stop the cycle of poverty.

For Arizonans who are actively looking for a job, who are getting their kids to school--let's extend them up to 12 additional months of cash assistance, known as TANF, as a bridge out of poverty and into a better life.