2019 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Homeland Security


Jim Justice: More programs for National Guard and veterans

The National Guard has brought in 300 jobs in the last year--and it's created an economic impact on the State of West Virginia of $361,000,000.

Think about the Mountaineer Challenge Academy [a National Guard residential program for earning high school diplomas]. Think about young men and women that are just absolutely lost. Last year, they're going to have above a 90% graduation rate. And those people are on their way.

Now, let me jump to the veterans. Our veterans, we owe all to. We all know that. We are able to exempt their retirement. Good stuff. There's a few other things that we're able to do right now that you'll see in the budget, good stuff.

But I can tell you just this: For any of us here that think that we don't owe every single thing that we have to our vets, we're just plain wrong.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to West Virginia legislature Jan 9, 2019

Mark Gordon: Establish Wyoming's first Veterans Skilled Nursing facility

I join with the Legislature in support of the military and our veterans. Let us commit to do more during this session.

I commend to you the work of establishing Wyoming's first Veterans Skilled Nursing facility. It has been a long time in coming. Building this facility will mark an important step forward for our veterans.

More broadly, I believe we have an obligation to improve access to mental healthcare for our veterans, our first-responders, and ultimately for all citizens.

Substance abuse, moral injury (the impact of actions which violate core moral values), suicide and PTSD, these are all concerns we as a state need to address. We can do more in our communities to help support those who are struggling with crisis.

Happily, in Wyoming there are many organizations working to help those wrestling with these traumas. Through improved coordination of these non-profit, public, & private programs, we can provide better mental health services in places where people live.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to Wyoming legislature Jan 9, 2019

Ralph Northam: Tuition assistance for National Guard, plus Tech Talent

I'm proposing specific tuition assistance for National Guard members so that the men and women who step forward to keep us safe in times of need can advance in their civilian careers as well. Our National Guard members offer critical help, responding during and after disasters or other missions.

As we've learned from economic development projects, including the Amazon headquarters, good jobs come to states and communities whose workers are ready for high tech jobs.

That is why our administration is proud to partner with legislative leaders of both parties in proposing a Tech Talent Investment Fund, which will offer grants to our higher education institutions to help them provide more computer science degrees. Our goal is to produce up to 17,500 more bachelor's degrees in computer science over the next 20 years. This is an investment in our people and our future.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to Virginia legislature Jan 9, 2019

Charlie Baker: $200 million rebuild of the Soldier's Home in Chelsea

We enacted the BRAVE Act [providing additional services and supports to veterans]. We broke ground on a $200 million rebuild of the Soldier's Home in Chelsea, proving once again that no state is more committed to delivering for its veterans than Massachusetts.
Source: 2019 Massachusetts governor inaugural (State of the State) Jan 3, 2019

Doug Burgum: State income tax exemption on military retirement pay

We're pleased to see proposed legislation that would grant occupational licensing reciprocity to military spouses. Making North Dakota more military-friendly is key to solving our workforce shortage. Our budget proposes a 100 percent state income tax exemption on military retirement pay to encourage more veterans to stay and work in North Dakota. We should thank our veterans for their service not only with our words--but with our actions--as they certainly have earned it. And let us always remember that since 9-11, we've had North Dakota National Guard members continuously deployed in harm's way, defending our freedoms. I would ask that both our veterans and active duty servicemen and women please stand and be recognized.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Dakota Legislature Jan 3, 2019

  • The above quotations are from 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches.
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  • Click here for more quotes by Ralph Northam on Homeland Security.
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Candidates and political leaders on Homeland Security:

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