2020 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Education
Chris Sununu:
Obtained $26 million grant for Preschool Development
I proposed a $6 million one-time cash infusion into UNH to rebuild the Early Childhood Center of Excellence to serve as a model for the rest of the country. Unfortunately, this investment was removed from the budget by the Legislature.
But the state worked with UNH and The NH Charitable Foundation to secure a $26 million federal grant for Preschool Development, which will build capacities for learning and wellbeing at home, in child care, and community based settings.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 13, 2020
Chris Sununu:
Compromise on student debt relief at no expense to taxpayers
Last year, I budgeted for a $160 million, ten-year investment in student debt relief that would have cost the taxpayers nothing. Unfortunately, the legislature killed that proposal, but
I am hopeful we can find compromise and finally deliver this opportunity to provide student debt-relief and direct scholarships -- again, at NO expense to the taxpayer.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 13, 2020
Kay Ivey:
$25 million for Pre-K; $1B for public schools & colleges
We all know that a world-class workforce begins with a world-class education system. The path that leads to that starts with a solid foundation constructed during the first 5 years of life.Just think... 95% of a child's brain develops from birth to
age 5. My education budget that I am proposing will provide an additional $25 million dollars to expand our nationally-recognized First Class Pre-K program. This significant increase will expand the program by another 193 classrooms.
I am proposing a $1 billion-dollar public school and college authority for K-12 education, as well as for our two- and four-year colleges and universities. This money will be distributed on a formula basis to allow for much-needed capital improvements
across the state. Equally important, this bond will not include any legislative earmarks for pet projects. It has been almost 14 years since Alabama made an investment of this size by providing direct help to our schools.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
Bill Lee:
4% salary boost for teachers; make $40,000 minimum salary
I'm proposing the largest investment in K-12 teacher salaries in Tennessee history. My budget sets aside $117 million additional dollars for teachers, an amount equal to a 4% increase in the state's contribution to teacher salaries. We must also work
harder to make teaching a more attractive profession for young people. Over the next two years, we will recommend moving the minimum salary schedule for teachers from $36,000 to $40,000, so that no teacher is making less than $40,000 per year.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Bill Lee:
Focus on new initiatives in teacher training
Our Department of Education will be working with our schools of education, to ensure that our approach to training teachers is the best. The Tennessee Teacher and Leader Institute will solicit proposals to help launch a new initiative that will
build the best educator preparation program in the nation. We're investing $4 million to support professional development opportunities for school leaders and innovative career advancement opportunities for our best-performing teachers.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Kevin Stitt:
Raise donations caps for fund for public and private schools
Now is the time to raise the cap on the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship to $30 million, to allow Oklahomans to be rewarded for investing their funds directly to our students and schools
Increasing the tax credit cap will provide additional incentives for donors, resulting in more public-school grants and private-school scholarships.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 3, 2020
Doug Burgum:
Help students be "choice ready" for their career paths
Helping them explore career paths earlier, work-based learning and internships and career pathways programs that can help identify their interests. And by supporting all students to be choice ready, meaning whether you're ready for a career,
you're ready for college, you're ready for the military. So choice ready means we want to be empowering our youth and addressing, at the same time, addressing our workforce shortage and making positive impacts for our communities.
Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Gretchen Whitmer:
Double down on investment in early literacy
Michigan ranks in the bottom 10 states for overall literacy. We're doubling down on the commitment to invest in early literacy. We're working to make pre-k universal for kids where test scores are low or poverty is high. And we're providing
better access to childcare for parents who are in school or working full-time. We've tripled the number of literacy coaches in the state. The next step is to have literacy coaches train educators to better identify and support struggling readers.
Source: 2020 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Gretchen Whitmer:
Increase number of post-secondary credentials to 60% by 2030
In 2019, I set a goal to increase the number of Michiganders with a post-secondary credential to 60% by 2030. To get there, there's bipartisan legislation called Michigan Reconnect, that will provide tuitionfree skills training and degree programs for
adults. Our business community supports Michigan Reconnect. And here's why: We have over 100,000 in-demand jobs to fill. These are good paying jobs--jobs in construction, IT, and advanced manufacturing. But they demand specialized skills training.
Source: 2020 Michigan State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
J.B. Pritzker:
Illinois will be best state for young families
We are reaffirming that our most important commitments are to our children and their education. Mark my words, Illinois will be the best state in the nation to raise a young family. Today, 20,000 more kids are getting childcare, and thousands more are
going to preschool. To address our state's shortage of teachers, we raised the minimum teacher salary so we can retain educators in Illinois, and we made it more attractive for out-of-state teachers to move here.
Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
J.B. Pritzker:
Added 10,000 scholarships, free tuition at U. of Illinois
We made it easier for high school graduates to get a skilled wage by expanding vocational training and career and technical education for the first time in a decade. And after years of decline, we are turning around university student enrollment by
making college more affordable, expanding scholarships to an additional 10,000 college-bound students--and this fall, more than half of the families in our state will be eligible for free tuition at the University of Illinois.
Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Mike Dunleavy:
Introduced bipartisan Alaska Reads Act to promote literacy
As a state, we have a moral imperative to provide the best education we possibly can for every Alaskan child. I introduced the Alaska Reads Act: a bi-partisan approach to reading that reallocates resources with a focus on evidence-based solutions,
including statewide teacher training, department-employed reading specialists, and the implementation of early literacy interventions.
Source: 2020 Alaska State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
Tate Reeves:
Let's pay our teachers as much as we can possibly afford
As we begin to allocate this new revenue, I can think of no one more deserving, and no task more essential, than increasing the pay of our teachers. I know that there is broad consensus and commitment to achieve this quickly and to increase pay
substantially. I want all of you to know that my priority is simple: let's pay our teachers as much as we can possibly afford. Send me a budget that does that, and I'll stand beside each of you to sign it with joy.
We will not win this great competition without a financial investment in the people who can make it happen. Last year, I outlined a plan to put $100 million into workforce development--training Mississippians so that we are ready to work.
Teaching skills to students from the earliest possible age. Apprenticeships, community college grants, and assistance for workers. We can make noise across the nation when they see our commitment to this cause.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
John Carney:
Opportunity Funding targets resources to neediest students
For the first time in our state's history, we're targeting resources toward these students who need our help the most. We call it Opportunity Funding. Districts are already putting the money to good use. Public schools are using this funding to hire
more than 200 new educators and professionals focusing on low-income and English learners. My budget will continue this investment, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because the future of our state depends on the success of our children.
Source: 2020 Delaware State of the State address
Jan 23, 2020
Henry McMaster:
Boost teacher pay; surpass southeastern average salaries
Last year, we raised the salaries of all South Carolina teachers. This year, I ask you to give each teacher an additional $3,000 dollar raise--which equates to an average 7% raise per teacher. South Carolina will vault into the "top 25" national
ranking for average teacher pay. We now rank 41st. We will surpass the southeastern average for the first time in many of our lives. And the minimum starting salary for new teachers will have jumped 26% in the last three years, to $38,000.
Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address
Jan 22, 2020
Henry McMaster:
Fund PreK for needy kids, including religious schools
In 2006, the General Assembly funded full-day, four-year-old kindergarten programs for Medicaid-eligible children in public schools and private childcare centers. I ask that you provid[e] every lower-income, four-year-old child the opportunity to
attend full-day kindergarten at the public, private, parochial or religious institution of their parents' choosing. That's right--the parents can choose. We will unleash the free market into early childhood education through parental choice.
Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address
Jan 22, 2020
Henry McMaster:
5% funding increase for colleges not raising tuition
Last year we took a dramatic step by freezing college tuition for in-state students. I urge you to do it again this year by providing a 5% funding increase for each institution that does not raise tuition. I ask you to provide an additional
$164 million for need-based scholarships and grants to open the door of opportunity for those students. I also ask that the state pay 100% of college tuition for active duty members of the South Carolina Army or Air National Guard.
Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address
Jan 22, 2020
Tony Evers:
Education debt affects not just students, but their families
We can't continue to ignore the elephant in the room of student debt. I will be creating a Task Force on Student Debt in Wisconsin. We have to work on making higher education available to more folks in our state. We have to understand
how education-related debt affects not just our students, but their families, too. And we have to address the fact that student debt is preventing folks from buying a car, starting a business, saving for retirement, and starting a family.
Source: 2020 Wisconsin State of the State address
Jan 22, 2020
Charlie Baker:
Vocational schools should provide classes in three shifts
We'll launch a $15 million partnership with our vocational schools to give thousands of people, 'hands-on' educational opportunities. The partnership will transform vocational schools, to provide classes in three shifts. Adults can take classes during
the evening. Traditional high school students can take classes after their regular school day. And full-time vocational school students attend as they do now. These Career Technical Institutes will turbocharge our approach to applied learning.
Source: 2020 Massachusetts State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Janet Mills:
Restore budget cuts to higher education
This year, I ask this Legislature to fully fund the second year of the higher education budget which was cut last spring. These institutions of higher learning cannot withstand rising costs without the prospects of higher tuition. And higher tuition is
the last thing our students need.Our CTEs [Career and Technical Education] are more important than ever; yet they have not received significant funds for equipment since 1998. I ask this body to fund equipment upgrades for our CTEs so that teachers
are able to provide our 8,000 CTE students with the skills that we desperately need them to have.
We need to simplify debt relief programs like the Educational Opportunity Tax Credit to help more graduates retire their debt.
And we must boost the Educators for Maine Loan Forgiveness Program to incentivize young teachers to work in the underserved areas which desperately need them.
Source: 2020 Maine State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Pay teachers more; hire more teachers: education a priority
It would be inaccurate to say we chose education as our top priority. Transforming our public education ecosystem is no less than a moral mandate. We've got to pay educators more and we've got to hire more educators.
In our first two years, we will have provided a 10 percent across-the-board raise for our educators--as compared to only 6% total over the eight years before that. Once again: Education was not a priority then. It is now.
Source: 2020 New Mexico State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
Make tuition-free higher education a reality
New Mexico was the first to guarantee higher education for all. Now, we as a state have fallen behind. We can round out our world-class cradle-to-career educational philosophy with a comprehensive embrace of universal higher education:
The Opportunity Scholarship. We have the power to make tuition-free higher education a reality, benefiting an astounding 55,000 New Mexico students this fall. Students want it; parents want it; let's give them the opportunity.
Source: 2020 New Mexico State of the State address
Jan 21, 2020
Brian Kemp:
$2000 pay raise for all public school teachers
In my budget, I have included a $2,000 pay raise for all public school educators. This raise will enhance retention rates, boost recruitment numbers, and improve educational outcomes in schools throughout Georgia. By investing in our educators,
we can build a strong house, a place where everyone learns and all Georgians have the opportunity to thrive.
Source: 2020 Georgia State of the State address
Jan 16, 2020
Mike Parson:
Invest in advanced training in high demand areas
My budget calls for a total investment of nearly $75 million dollars into workforce development programs. I am advocating that we provide $22 million dollars to fund a program known as Fast Track. Fast Track will allow Missourians to receive advanced
training in high-demand areas largely taught at our community colleges, technical schools, and colleges and universities. This will open the doors for Missourians to have opportunities to earn more money for their hard work.
Source: 2020 Missouri State of the State address
Jan 15, 2020
Peter Ricketts:
$16 million in scholarships to connect students with careers
Connecting the next generation of Nebraskans to great opportunities in our state is key to helping our kids make Nebraska their home. I am proposing that we invest $16 million in scholarships for students at our community colleges,
state colleges, and University system to help connect the next generation of Nebraskans with great careers in fields ranging from math and engineering to healthcare and IT.
Source: 2020 Nebraska State of the State address
Jan 15, 2020
Andy Beshear:
Waive GED testing fee for those who can't afford it
The Lt Governor and I announced that we would waive the GED testing fee for anyone who couldn't afford it.
Already, we are seeing major response from those that realize a high school degree or GED can change their life and the next generations of their family.
Source: 2020 Kentucky State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Andy Beshear:
Teachers deserve a living wage, teacher shortage is a threat
Teachers deserve a raise. We face a teacher shortage that threatens the education of our children. This body has spoken to the need of more engineers and more nurses in this state. But how can that happen if we lack full-time science and math teachers.
We've figured out how to give tax incentives to corporations--so I know we can figure out how to pay a living wage to the men and women who get up at the crack of dawn every morning so our Kentucky children have every opportunity.
Source: 2020 Kentucky State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Andy Beshear:
End historic cuts to universities, community colleges
A commitment to breaking cycles of poverty must also include higher education. In this state, we need more of every option. More graduates with a four-year college degree and more workers with technical degrees and certifications for skilled trades.
To do that, we must end our historic cuts to our universities and community colleges.
Source: 2020 Kentucky State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Eric Holcomb:
$115 million to increase teacher pay, more to come
I created the Teacher Compensation Commission and asked them to come up with a sustainable plan to make our teacher salaries competitive with other Midwestern states. Last year, we devoted an unprecedented increase of $763 million new dollars in
K-12 education, including paying down $150 million in the Teacher Retirement Fund, which freed up $65 million more a year for teacher pay increases.More Indiana school districts have raised teacher salaries this year than in any other year in recent
history. I am recommending that the General Assembly use an additional $250 million from our surplus and put it toward teacher retirement funds. In turn, $50 million a year will be generated to redirect to teacher pay.
Together that's $115 million more available annually to increase teacher pay with more to come after the Compensation Commission releases its recommendations.
Source: 2020 Indiana State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Gina Raimondo:
Additional $30 million to support schools statewide
Schools in every community have to do better, so I am announcing an additional $30 million to support students and teachers in every community. In every district across the state, we'll invest in high-quality curricula and ensure more students have
access to advanced classes in high school. We'll invest to support multilingual learners for whom the playing field is still devastatingly unequal. We'll increase the number of mental health professionals in our schools.
A very bright spot in our education system is our public PreK. Rhode Island is a nationally recognized leader. The problem is, for too many people, it's unaffordable.
So let's invest in what we know works. Kids shouldn't have to be lucky or rich
to get a strong start. Tonight, I'm proposing a more than 50% increase in the number of high-quality public PreK classrooms throughout the state. That's taking a big step forward toward our goal of Universal PreK for every 4-year-old in Rhode Island.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Gina Raimondo:
Make scholarships for community college permanent
A few years ago, we tried something new to help more young people get a college degree and training for a good job. We enabled high school graduates to enroll at CCRI tuition-free. Today, the Promise Scholarship is a proven success. CCRI's
graduation rate has tripled. That scholarship is set to expire. Let's make the Promise Scholarship permanent and cement affordable higher education and job training into the very foundation of our economy.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Kim Reynolds:
We need 100% of schools to teach computer science
Currently, almost two-thirds of school districts teach computer science in middle and high school. And about half teach it in elementary school.
We need that to be 100 percent--which is why I'm calling on the Legislature to take computer science statewide and ensure every student, at every level, has access to this new basic skill.
Source: 2020 Iowa State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Phil Murphy:
Tuition-free community college for eligible students
We're putting a college education back within reach. We've opened the doors to a tuition-free community college education to thousands of eligible students, and put in place safeguards
to combat college debt. And, for those who want the opportunity, we've reinvested in workforce development and apprenticeships like never before.
Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Ron DeSantis:
Boost teacher's minimum salary to $47,500
I am recommending we take a bold step of setting a minimum salary for public school teachers at $47,500, bringing Florida from the bottom half of states to number 2 in the nation. This will make it easier to get talented college graduates
to enter the profession and will help us retain many of the good teachers we have now. My plan will lead to a substantial pay increase for over 100,000 current teachers throughout the state.
Source: 2020 Florida State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Ron DeSantis:
Parents should have public school choice
All Florida parents, regardless of income or zip code, should have the ability to choose the best school for their children. This isn't limited to scholarship programs but also includes public school choice.
When we increase educational choice and provide innovative learning opportunities, we can help students reach their full potential. Results matter and accountability is needed.
Source: 2020 Florida State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Doug Ducey:
Invest in teachers, students and K-12 public schools
We've pumped $4.5 billion in new investments into Arizona schools. With our latest budget, that figure will rise to $6.6 billion. In addition, an even larger investment in school counselors, cops on campus, and school safety. A stronger focus on
CTE and the trades. More money for the Arizona Teachers Academy, and Teach for America. And by the start of the new school year, teacher pay will be up 20 percent.
Through the Arizona Teachers Academy we made a commitment to our aspiring teachers--you stay and teach in Arizona, and we'll cover your college tuition. The effort is paying off.
Enrollment in the Teachers Academy has skyrocketed, with 2,170 students now participating.
Arizona's future depends on these educators. Let's provide them with access so they can get to the front of the classroom--debt free.
Source: 2020 Arizona State of the State address
Jan 13, 2020
Doug Ducey:
Have a school day devoted to instruction on civics
We are blessed to have one Arizonan who's the ideal of this aspirational creed. Her life is a living civics lesson-- and Arizona is fortunate to be home to the Institute that bears her name. I'm talking about Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Who better to hold as a model for the next generation? That's why I'm calling for a day when classroom instruction can be dedicated entirely to civics: Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Celebration Day.
Source: 2020 Arizona State of the State address
Jan 13, 2020
Jared Polis:
Achieve universal pre-school for 4-year-olds by end of term
In my budget this year, we're proposing to help an additional 6,000 children attend preschool, which for the first time will bring coverage to half of all eligible kids in Colorado. We should feel good about reaching this milestone.
But it has taken more than three decades to get only half the job done. We can and we must do better, which is why I'm committed to achieving universal access to quality preschool for 4-year-olds by the end of my first term.
We know that under Colorado's system of local control, individual districts set teacher salaries. When I speak with school leaders, they want to pay teachers better. But because of our fiscal rules, the state spends far too much money backfilling
some of the wealthiest districts not only in the state, but in the country. That is truly at the root of our school funding issues. Together, we can fix this systemic problem and finally raise pay for our hardworking educators.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Jared Polis:
Increased higher education funding, plus $100 for newborns
Most of the time, but not always, the path to success involves some higher education degree or credential. But rising costs are putting higher education out of reach for too many. We took action by increasing the General Fund investment in higher
education by 13%, an increase that we are building on in our new budget. Thanks to new legislation enacted last year, we are putting $100 into a college savings account for every single Colorado child born or adopted beginning January 1st of this year.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Phil Scott:
Build the country's best cradle-to-career education system
I believe the best opportunity for progress is in early care and learning--to give all kids, regardless of their background, a strong foundation. If we can work together on a high-quality child care system that's affordable and accessible we could set
Vermont apart from other states. Let's make change that gives all our kids an equal shot at success, that puts their interests above special interests, and builds them the best cradle-to-career education system in the country.
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Ralph Northam:
$95 million for early childhood education for at-risk kids
I have sent you a comprehensive plan for early childhood education. This plan will invest $95 million to help at-risk three- and four-year-olds start learning sooner. This means training educators, providing support, and setting accountability
standards. If we invest in little learners today, we'll see great results for adults tomorrow. Other states have done this, and it's time for Virginia to get moving.
We need to invest in our K-12 public schools--with teacher raises, more guidance counselors, and extra funds for high-need schools. This budget increases the "At-Risk Add-On" for educationally at-risk students, by $140 million. This is the largest
single increase to this funding source in Virginia's history, and it's a critical investment. An investment in public schools is an investment in students and our economy. Education represents 38% of the new spending in this budget.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Ralph Northam:
Financial aid: Get skilled, get a job, give back
I'm sending a proposal to help people "Get Skilled, Get a Job, and Give Back." If you need help, and if you choose to go into a high-demand field and if you commit to community service, then Virginia will cover your tuition, fees, and books.
And if Pell grants already do that, we'll give you a stipend--$1,000 a semester to help with transportation, child care, the rent, or even food. That's a small amount for the Commonwealth. In return, we'll ask you to serve the community.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Brad Little:
Doubled funding for literacy; don't rely on property tax
As state elected leaders, our constitutional obligation to K-12 public education is clear. Article 9 Section 1 states it is our duty "to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools." I want to thank the
Legislature for joining me last year in passing significant investments in public education. We raised starting teacher pay. We increased funds available for Opportunity Scholarships. We doubled funding for one of my highest priority areas--literacy.
We cannot simply rely on the good hearts of teachers any longer to retain an effective teaching workforce in Idaho. We must pay them competitively. Your property taxes shoulder a growing share of teacher salaries and operating expenses in our school
districts. It's out of balance and not sustainable. I propose we put an additional $30 million in ongoing General Fund as a down payment to continue increasing teacher pay over the next several years. Performance criteria will ensure accountability.
Source: 2020 Idaho State of the State address
Jan 6, 2020
Brad Little:
Direct state colleges & universities to work together
I have directed our universities, community colleges, and the State Board of Education to adopt a fresh approach to meeting the needs of Idaho students and businesses by working together. I am recommending the development of cybersecurity programs
that will be offered jointly by Boise State University, Idaho State University, and University of Idaho. This increased level of collaboration will offer Idahoans a path to earn a degree in a high-demand profession by partnering with Idaho employers.
Source: 2020 Idaho State of the State address
Jan 6, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021
Beshear(D)
vs.