Doug Ducey in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
Choice and competition brings about innovation
Arizona has been the leader in school choice. It's good for parents, and most of all, it's good for kids. Healthy choice and competition brings about innovation, and that's been the case in Arizona public education. But we also know improvements can be
made. More transparency, more accountability, and granting more financial review and oversight over taxpayer dollars--all with the purpose of making sure every public school is improving and providing Arizona kids with the best-possible education.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
On Environment:
19-year drought: protect Lake Mead and Colorado River
The issues we need to tackle aren't partisan ones. In some cases, they aren't even political. At the top of that list: securing our water future. Now stay with me--this is not an issue that leads the news. It doesn't make for a snappy headline, or a
provocative soundbite, and it can't be explained in 280 characters. But as I traveled the state this year, it's one of the issues I was asked about most by real people--especially in rural Arizona. It's an issue that deserves your focus and attention.
Which is why it's first on my list.Here's the bottom line: We're in a 19-year drought. It's going to get worse before it gets better. Arizona and our neighboring states draw more water from the Colorado River than Mother Nature puts back. It's time
to protect Lake Mead. It's time to ratify the Drought Contingency Plan. Doing so will require compromise. No one stakeholder is going to get everything they want. This issue is important and it's urgent. Our economy. Our environment. Our future.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
On Free Trade:
USMCA: new trade deal with Mexico means jobs in Arizona
Arizona's economy is booming. There's no doubt about it. We've added nearly 300,000 new jobs in the last four years.And I'm proud to say, our relationship with Mexico is stronger than ever. With an updated North American trade deal, known as the
USMCA, this will mean even more trade coming through our ports and more jobs for Arizonans.
I've become fond of saying that the last time unemployment was this low, you were renting your movies at Blockbuster.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
On Government Reform:
For every new law, repeal three old ones
We're not short on laws here in our state. Over 107 years we've built up a hearty 11,000 plus pages. Certainly, many of our laws have merit. But many don't.So why does each legislative session seem to be a competition to pass the most new laws?
What if we found a way to get rid of old unneeded laws, rather than just creating new ones? If for every law we passed, we repealed three or if new laws had sunsets. I'm challenging this legislature let's chop the stacks and stacks of statutes down.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
On Government Reform:
No legislative immunity: laws apply to lawmakers
Let's start with eliminating the most unnecessary law of them all: legislative immunity. We are a nation of laws, not men. No one is above the law. Congress likes to exempt themselves from the law--but isn't that why Americans hold them in such contempt?
Let's show the people of Arizona that their elected leaders will live under the same laws as every man and woman in this state. Send T.J. Shope's referral to the ballot and let the people speak on special privileges for elected officials.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
On Gun Control:
Safe Arizona Schools Plan: more cops; more background checks
Last spring, we researched the five deadliest school shootings of the last 20 years, and asked: How could these have been prevented? We built a plan that could make a real difference: The Safe Arizona Schools Plan. More cops on campus.
More school counselors. Improved background checks. A STOP order that protects Second Amendment rights while keeping guns out of the hands of individuals who are a lethal threat.We know when a police officer is around, it makes things safer.
Who do we call whenever there's trouble? Our brave men and women in blue. And that's why we're including enough dollars to put a cop on every campus that needs one.
This plan is a reasoned and balanced approach. We modeled elements of it from
Gabby Giffords' plan. This is simply too important an issue to let partisan politics and special interests get in the way. We've got a responsibility to do something for our kids--and we've got to do it this session.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
On Jobs:
Universal recognition for out-of-state occupational licenses
If people want to work, let's let them work! 100,000 people will move here this year. There's a job available for every one of them. Lots of them are trained and certified in other states. Standing in their way of earning a living in Arizona, our own
licensing boards, and their cronies who tell them--"You can't work here. You haven't paid the piper."Let's stop this foolishness. Pass the bill to grant universal recognition for all occupational licenses-- and let them work.
And before those unelected boards feign outrage--let's remember: workers don't lose their skills simply because they move to Arizona.
And, in the name of good government, let's have the bullies on these boards answer three questions: what do you exist to do, how do you know if you're doing it well, and who would miss you if you were gone?
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 14, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019