Jared Polis in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
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
On Education:
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
On Energy & Oil:
We all need to lead on clean air and climate
If we want to preserve our way of life for future generations, then we all need to lead on clean air and climate. That's why we have taken bold action to put us on the path to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040. This is what the renewable energy
future looks like: innovating, growing jobs, growing opportunity, saving people money, and doing our part to reduce the harmful effects of climate change and local air pollution in the process.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Environment:
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
On Families & Children:
Wants "unique Colorado solution" to provide paid leave
We need to find a way to enact paid family and medical leave for more Coloradans. The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act allows for unpaid leave, but that still forces families to choose between getting a paycheck and caring for a newborn child, an
aging parent, or themselves. I'm hopeful we can construct a unique Colorado solution that provides paid time off to many more Coloradans as soon as possible, without straining state resources or forcing taxpayers to bear the financial risk.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Health Care:
Proposes drug price transparency & public option
At the end of the day there is one issue that continues to reign over all when it comes to affordability: the high cost of health care. We know that health care costs won't magically go down on their own. We need to keep working at it.
Which is why this year I'm supporting legislation to require prescription drug price transparency, and a proposal to provide Coloradans a public option to increase freedom and choice in the health care marketplace.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Immigration:
Appointed first DREAMer to serve on state board
In the face of unprecedented hostility from this White House toward our immigrant communities, we say loudly and proudly that we stand with DREAMers and refugees. I was proud to appoint Marissa Molina, the first DREAMer in Colorado history to serve on a
state board or commission, to the board of Metro State University. We still need the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform. We don't build walls of exclusion in Colorado--we build ladders of opportunity.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Jobs:
Signed equal pay law; supports minority/women owned business
In Colorado, we believe your future should not be pre-determined by the color of your skin, your parents' income, your religion, your age, your disability status, where you live, where you were born, who you love, your gender identity. We believe in a
Colorado For All. That's why I was proud to sign an equal pay bill guaranteeing that men and women get paid the same wage for the same work. That's why we are proud to support our minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Finding common ground part of Colorado Way of Life
Our state's breathtaking natural beauty, our strong economy, and our forward-thinking society make Colorado the envy of the nation and attract people from all over the globe who want to visit us or move here to live the Colorado Way of Life. That doesn't
happen by accident. It happens because for decades, Coloradans from across the continental divide and the political divide have worked together in good faith to find common ground, protect what keeps Colorado special, and build a better state.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Eliminating special interest breaks lowers everyone's rates
Every Coloradan will receive real tax relief as our state income taxes go down to a historic low of 4.5%. This tax cut applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, corporations, and every small business. In addition, we delivered a tax cut for
144,000 small businesses in Colorado by cutting wasteful subsidies to big box retailers. We should continue down the path of eliminating tax breaks for special interests so that we can lower rates for everyone without reducing state revenue.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021