2020 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Environment

Mark Gordon: Allow a few corridors for big game migration

Regulations are important but can impede development. My Big Game Migration Corridor Advisory Group crafted a recommendation that provides a practical way to identify, designate, and protect a few migration routes without offending private property rights. It is absolutely not a land grab. The order simply establishes a way to designate a handful--single digits--of corridors to protect our state's great treasures: our wildlife, our hunting, and our opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Source: 2020 State of the State Address to 65th Wyoming legislature Feb 10, 2020

Doug Burgum: Dept. of Environmental Quality to focus on clean air & water

We all want the same thing: clean air and water. North Dakota has some of the cleanest air and water in the nation, and our nation has some of the cleanest air and water in the world. If you've had a chance to travel around the world lately, you'll be thankful you're living in the United States because we do such a great job here. To make sure that it stays that way, we took a department inside another agency, elevated it to cabinet level and created the Department of Environmental Quality. Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address Jan 29, 2020

Mike Dunleavy: The ability to own land is a core American value

The ability to own land is a core American value--something that has been denied Alaskans for too long. In fact, this practice in Alaska of not distributing its land overturns over 200 years of a core American belief and right to private ownership. We'll soon be forwarding legislation that allows individuals the choice of exchanging their PFD for a land certificate to leverage the purchase of land. Source: 2020 Alaska State of the State address Jan 27, 2020

Eric Holcomb: Additional million trees to be planted over next five years

We now have four times more timberland acreage than we did 100 years ago. Recently, I learned the Central Indiana Land Trust has committed to planting one million trees throughout Indiana that will buffer some of our most iconic natural areas. I've directed the Department of Natural Resources to plant another million trees on top of that over the next five years. That extra timberland will perfectly complement our $100 million renovation to our incredible memory-making state parks. Source: 2020 Indiana State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Kim Reynolds: Increase funding for water quality and conservation

Iowans voted to establish the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust. We need to increase the amount of money that will be allocated for water quality and conservation. Under my bill, almost 58% of the Trust Fund, an estimated $100 million, will go toward water-quality efforts every year, representing an almost 31% increase in current funding. We will also commit $52 million for other conservation and outdoor recreation efforts, representing an increase of 14.6% of current funding. Source: 2020 Iowa State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Doug Ducey: Turn Arizona into international capital for water technology

Last year we came together and passed the Drought Contingency Plan. It was the most significant water policy in 40 years. But we shouldn't be dealing with this issue one generation at a time. We need a strategic ongoing effort to turn Arizona into the international capital for water technology. Look at all that Israel has done. Why not Arizona? We've been a leader on water, and with this approach, we will continue to be an even stronger leader far into the future. Source: 2020 Arizona State of the State address Jan 13, 2020

Jared Polis: We are loving our public lands to death; needs upgrades

Our majestic lands define our state and power our economy. But like many things in our state, growth threatens our enjoyment of these natural treasures. In a very real sense, we are loving our public lands to death. Admissions to state parks have skyrocketed, and the need for upgraded trails, bathrooms, parking and facilities is urgent. So we are asking the Legislature for a one-time infusion from the General Fund to make important capacity improvements across our State parks system.

We cannot create a system that excludes rural Colorado. We must deliver for everyone in our state, and it's going to take all of us in this room working together to get it done. By investing in our infrastructure and providing more affordable and convenient transportation options, we will be relieving traffic congestion while also reducing the harmful emissions that blacken our skies and contribute to the climate emergency that remains the challenge of our generation.

Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address Jan 9, 2020

Ralph Northam: Modernize regulations; strengthen enforcement

I ordered the Department of Environmental Quality to modernize outdated regulations, strengthen enforcement, identify reasons for delays in permitting, and improve transparency. These were the first steps in restoring a critical agency that had been cut by 30% over the past decade. A major portion is dedicated to community outreach, and it's time to create a permanent Environmental Justice Council. This is about addressing community issues up front. It's about transparency in decision-making. Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address Jan 8, 2020

The above quotations are from 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for definitions & background information on Environment. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Ralph Northam on Environment. Click here for more quotes by Charlie Baker on Environment.
*Candidates and political leaders on Environment:*
*Gubernatorial Debates 2020:* DE: vs.Carney(incumbent) vs.Williams(D) IN: vs.Holcomb(incumbent) vs.Melton(D) vs.Myers(D) MO: Parson(incumbent) vs.Galloway(D) vs.Neely(R) MT: Bullock(retiring) vs.Fox(R) vs.Perry(R) vs.Gianforte(R) vs.~~Stapleton~~(R) vs.Olszewski(R) vs.Neill(D) vs.Schreiner(D) vs.Cooney(D) vs.Williams(D) NC: Cooper(incumbent) vs.Forest(R) vs.Grange(R) ND: Burgum(incumbent) vs.Coachman(R) vs.Lenz(D) NH: Sununu(incumbent) vs.Volinsky(D) vs. fsFeltes(D) PR: Rossello(D) vs.Garced(D) vs.Pierluisi(D) UT: Herbert(retiring) vs.Huntsman(R) vs.Cox(R) vs.Burningham(R) vs.Newton(D) vs.Hughes(R) VT: Scott(incumbent) vs.Holcombe(D) vs.Zuckerman(D) WA: Inslee(incumbent) vs.Bryant(R) vs.Fortunato(R) WV: Justice(incumbent) vs.Folk(R) vs.Thrasher(R) vs.Vanover(D) vs.Smith(D) vs.Ron Stollings(D)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2021:* NJ: Murphy(D) vs.Ciattarelli(R) VA: Northam(D,term-limited) vs.Herring(D) vs.Chase(R) vs.Fairfax(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2019:* KY: Bevin(R) vs.~~Goforth~~(R,lost primary) vs.~~Adkins~~(D,lost primary) vs.Beshear(D) vs.~~Edelen~~(D,lost primary) LA: Edwards(D) vs.Rispone(R) vs.Abraham(R) vs.~~Kennedy~~(R,declined) MS: ~~Bryant~~(R,retiring) vs.Foster(R) vs.Hood(D) vs.Reeves(R) vs.Waller(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021