2019 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Tax Reform
Kay Ivey:
Cut taxes; reduce government
We have cut taxes on middle-class families, and we are shrinking government. Last year, I was very proud to sign into law the largest tax break for middle-class Alabamians in more than a decade! In turn, the total impact is projected to net
$40 million dollars in savings for our taxpayers over the next decade. All of our efforts are centered on doing what is best and right for the people of our state--and that begins with protecting their hard-earned dollars whenever and however we can.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Alabama legislature
Mar 6, 2019
Kay Ivey:
Increased fuel tax strictly for infrastructure
Driving on rough roads costs the average Alabamian $507 dollars annually in additional vehicle maintenance--a total of $2 billion dollars statewide, each year! That is why we are proposing a 10-cent increase in Alabama's fuel tax.
And I want to be crystal clear--this money will be scrutinized and watched over--every single penny. There will be strong accountability measures to make certain these monies are spent solely on transportation infrastructure. Period.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Alabama legislature
Mar 6, 2019
Ron DeSantis:
Must remain a low-tax state with no income tax
It is often said that states serve as laboratories of democracies. The result has been a migration of wealth from states that tax heavily, spend profligately, and regulate excessively to states, like Florida, that tax lightly, spend conservatively,
and regulate reasonably. We won't repeat those mistakes in Florida. We will always remain a low-tax state. And we will never have an income tax! I have proposed more than $330 million in tax relief for Florida families, including a property tax cut.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
J.B. Pritzker:
Fair income tax to shift burden to the wealthy
There is a structural deficit today of over $3 billion per year that if left unaddressed will continue to grow. There is a backlog of unpaid bills and debt that exceeds $15 billion. Our option is to reject imposing additional income, retirement and
sales taxes on the middle class and instead enact a fair income tax. This would lift some of the tax burden off of middle income earners and instead ask the wealthiest to pay a little more.
It is not fair that I pay the same tax rate as a teacher, a child care worker, a police officer or a nurse. And efforts to simply increase the income tax rate across the board fuels further income inequality and kicks the can
down the road for our children and grandchildren to solve our ongoing budget issues. The state needs a fair tax, and I am going to be relentless in pursuing one over the next two years.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 20, 2019
Greg Abbott:
Rein in property taxes; they punish families
If we are going to keep Texas the economic engine of America, we must rein in a property tax system that punishes families and businesses and prevents younger Texans from achieving their dream of homeownership. We can no longer sit idly by while
property owners are reduced to tenants of their own property with taxing authorities playing the role of landlord. I applaud leaders of the Senate and House for working together on bills that limit the ability of taxing authorities to raise your taxes.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Texas legislature
Feb 5, 2019
Tom Wolf:
No new taxes: not one dollar; not one penny
Today, I put forth my budget proposal. This proposal asks for no new taxes. Not one dollar. Not one dime. Not one penny. At the same time, this budget proposes to do a number of things aimed at improving the lives of our fellow citizens. The people of
Pennsylvania have made substantial sacrifices in recent years to help our state get up off the mat--and despite a budget that asks for no new taxes, we now have a chance to continue making some important new investments on their behalf.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
Gary Herbert:
Broaden tax base & cut rates by 64%
All the goods and services that make up our modern economy should contribute to our tax base. As we broaden the tax base, we will slash the state sales tax rate. We will cut it by 64 percent from 4.85 percent to a mere 1.75 percent. That is a tax cut of
$225 million, especially benefitting lower and middle income families. This would mean that nearly nine out of ten taxpayers will pay less sales tax tomorrow than they pay today.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 30, 2019
Phil Scott:
Increase estate tax exemption from $2.75M to $5.75M
The estate tax is a stable source--average revenue since 2004 has been about $19.5 million, and the lowest year was 2015 at $9.9 million. Tax professionals consistently tell me that because we are so far out of line with other states, the estate tax is
a factor in retirees leaving. I propose increasing the current exemption from $2.75 million to $5.75 million over four years. This will align us with Maine and New York, and more closely with the federal exemption.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 24, 2019
Henry McMaster:
Lower taxes helps us compete: $2.2B tax cut
We have the highest marginal income tax rate in the southeast--the 12th highest in the nation. Seven states have no income tax at all. Taxes of all kinds at all levels add up--little by little--to smother growth. Beating the competition requires
reforming our state's marginal income and corporate tax rates. That's why I have proposed a $2.2 billion tax cut across all personal income brackets resulting in an average 15% rate reduction.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to South Carolina congress
Jan 23, 2019
Mike Dunleavy:
No change in taxes without a vote of the People
I will introduce three constitutional amendments, which will be the foundation of a permanent fiscal plan. If we wish to win the People's trust, we must trust the People. This fiscal plan is empowered by the People, for the People:- First, a
spending limit and savings plan that will keep politicians from spending every penny we have, one that allows us to save excess revenue when possible for future Alaskans.
- Second, there should be no change to the PFD without a vote of the people.
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The third constitutional amendment will call for no change in taxes without a vote of the People.
These three constitutional amendments will require that both the people of Alaska and their elected officials
work closely together to secure our future. The People are the key to a permanent fiscal plan. Without the People's support, any plan put in place by the Legislature will always be in doubt.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Alaska legislature
Jan 22, 2019
Andrew Cuomo:
Good management leads to lower taxes
Because we managed government better, we were able to lower taxes, which are now at historic lows. Lowest middle class tax rate since 1947.
Even I wasn't born in 1947. Lowest manufacturers tax since 1917. Lowest corporate tax since 1968. So, a great record of accomplishment. A lot of momentum.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the New York legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Asa Hutchinson:
2-4-5.9 plan: flatten & simplify rates, to spur growth
While I wanted to flatten the rate for all taxpayers to 5.9 percent over the next 4 years, the task force said we should simplify the rate structure and raise the standard deduction for all taxpayers. The result is a plan that we call the 2-4-5.9 plan.
It will set Arkansas on a path to be competitive with our surrounding states; to attract new investments and talent in our state; and to continue our vigorous economic growth. We will work with you so that no taxpayer will see any tax increase.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Eric Holcomb:
Exempt military pensions from state tax
To stay ahead of our competition and keep breaking those jobs records, we must keep sharpening our economic development tools to give us the flexibility to attract more capital investment and more people to locate here.
I will once again pursue exempting military pensions from our state income taxes so we can attract and retain talented patriotic veterans--who we know are some of the most experienced, focused and loyal workers anywhere.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Indiana legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Peter Ricketts:
Ease burden of property taxes; plus 3% local cap
Property tax relief is the number one priority Nebraskans want. My budget provides $51 million in new property tax relief through the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund. This is a 23 percent increase in property tax relief to all Nebraska property owners.
[I am also] proposing to establish a three percent cap on property taxes levied by local governments. It comes in the form of a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by the people after receiving your consideration.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Jared Polis:
Reduces taxes for the hardworking, instead of special breaks
Despite all of our progress, far too many people are either barely getting by, or falling behind. Our administration's mission and mandate from the voters begins with tackling the everyday challenges that Coloradans face because of the rising
costs of living:- Providing every single child with quality early education;
- Finally lowering the outrageous cost of health care;
- Creating good-paying jobs in the clean-energy sector that can never be outsourced; and
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Achieving true tax reform that reduces taxes for hardworking Coloradans instead of giving breaks to special interests while forcing families to pay more.
Together, we're going to build an economy where Coloradans from all walks
of life don't just get by, but thrive. I want to say: our administration will work tirelessly to make our state work better for you--so that you can earn a good living and share in our special way of life.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
Brad Little:
Inform taxpayers to increase state income tax withholdings
Last year, we delivered one of the largest tax cuts in state history. As a result, state income and business tax rates are the lowest since 1934. Idahoans are enjoying bigger paychecks.Even though sales tax and corporate tax revenues have been
robust, our personal income tax receipts are falling short. The federal tax code changed recently, but few Idahoans know they need to update their tax withholdings. I am ordering the Tax Commission to do all they can to better inform taxpayers of what
they need to do to avoid a surprise income tax bill.
My team is following this issue closely, confident revenues will eventually match the rapid pace of economic growth. Though we are confident, in true Idaho fashion, we will not spend money until
it's in the bank.
My budget recommendation will balance our books and fulfill important promises. Additionally, any new tax exemption should be tied to a proportional reduction in state spending or real income generation.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Idaho legislature
Jan 7, 2019
Chris Sununu:
No sales tax; no income tax; not on my watch
I implore this legislature to learn from the mistakes of the past. The last thing we should be doing is raising taxes or pushing a budget that does not live within our means.
And it should go without saying. There will be no sales or income tax of any kind on my watch.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Hampshire legislature
Jan 3, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019