2020 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Principles & Values

Kay Ivey: No one party has a monopoly on good ideas

I made one of the most important decisions as governor, to begin regular meetings with the Bipartisan Leadership of the House and Senate. No one here will be shocked to learn that our two political parties don't always see eye-to-eye. But I knew that no one party has a monopoly on good ideas. I felt that these bipartisan meetings would help us come up with bipartisan solutions on everything from infrastructure funding to hopefully improving our state's education system. Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address Feb 4, 2020

Gretchen Whitmer: Michiganders expect results; impatience is a virtue

Michiganders are hardworking people. They expect results. They deserve leaders who will work hard... and get things done. They won't accept excuses, and neither will I. I am not here to play games. For those of you who want to keep playing games, I'm going to press on without you. I'm going to use the power of my office to do what I said I was going to do. Because for me, for Michigan, IMpatience is a virtue. Source: 2020 Michigan State of the State address Jan 29, 2020

J.B. Pritzker: Ignored small problems become big problems

One thing I know in life is that if you want to make profound change in a broken system, you have to do the next good thing that needs to get done. Big problems become big problems when you let small problems sit. We could spend our time reliving every past failure, every bygone insult and fight--or we could fix things and be ardent voices on behalf of an agenda of opportunity in the years ahead. Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address Jan 29, 2020

Mike Dunleavy: We are Alaska, envy of the world

The issues I've laid out this evening, if acted upon, will move Alaska forward. By solving these issues, we create opportunities for tomorrow. We can achieve so much by working together that the state of our State will be even stronger in the years to come. This is Alaska. We are Alaska. We are the envy of the world for our beauty, natural resources, and strategic location. We are given this one moment in time to do what's best for Alaska. Let's take advantage of it. Source: 2020 Alaska State of the State address Jan 27, 2020

Henry McMaster: We believe in faith, family, the flag, and freedom

We are in the midst of a stunning economic resurgence--with the opportunity to seize prosperity for generations to come. We recognize our tremendous assets. We acknowledge our challenges. We believe in faith. We believe in family. We believe in the flag and we believe in free markets. We believe in liberty--in that shining city on the hill of which President Reagan spoke. And we know that liberty is worth fighting for. And remember, always teach the children to be proud of South Carolina! Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address Jan 22, 2020

Tony Evers: 95% of bills in first year had bipartisan support

In my last State of the State Address, I asked the legislature to set politics aside so we could work together on the issues facing our state. I said I expected bills to be passed with broad support and in the spirit of bipartisanship. So, one of the things I'm most proud of is that more than 95 percent of the bills I signed my first year in office had bipartisan support. And, by golly, folks worked together on some important issues. Source: 2020 State of the State address on Wisconsin voting record Jan 22, 2020

Janet Mills: We are not Washington; we are Maine

Tariffs and trade wars, threats of terrorism and partisan fighting paralyze the nation's capital. But here in Maine, we are doing what Mainers have done for more than two centuries: putting our shoulder to the wheel and working across the aisle to get things done for Maine people. Because we are not Washington. We are Maine. Source: 2020 Maine State of the State address Jan 21, 2020

Andy Beshear: With great power comes great responsibility

We are each here blessed to be able to serve. But that comes with a special responsibility. That responsibility has been laid out everywhere from the bible to pop culture. Luke 12:48 it states: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required," Similarly, the wisdom from Uncle Ben that launched a superhero franchise is "With great power comes great responsibility." And the power to govern, to change laws and to change lives, is a great power, which comes with great responsibility. Source: 2020 Kentucky State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Eric Holcomb: Every citizen should have equal access and opportunity

My fellow Hoosiers, we've become known around the world as "A State that Works." I want Indiana to become known as "A State that Works for All." Where every citizen--no matter their background or age or who they love or whether they grew up here or arrived last week--has equal access and opportunity to go as far as they wish and are willing to work to get there. That's what I'll continue to fight for. Source: 2020 Indiana State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Jay Inslee: Washington best state to do business and to be an employee

Washington state indeed embodies the best of America. We've been honored to be both the best place to do business and the best place to be an employee. That combination is a rare and powerful testament to our state. And it says a lot about how we face challenges. Source: 2020 Washington State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Phil Murphy: Others focus on next election; we focus on next generation

Putting self-interest before the common good, the next-day headline before the long-term work--those were deliberate choices. The easy way out would have been for us to continue pursuing shortcuts that could paper over our problems and make us feel good in the short-term. But, I refuse to let our problems become bigger. Where others have focused only on the next election, we're focused on the next generation. Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Jared Polis: 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

Ralph Northam: We are all equal in the beginning and in the end

I think we all want to live in a country where we'd be proud if our young child can look to our country's leaders and say, I want to be like that person when I grow up. We don't have that now. But we can get it back, and we must. My mother taught me that, no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all equal in the beginning and in the end. I've thought of that many times since I've had this job. That lesson comforts me, especially as I take on a great responsibility. 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 Principles & Values. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Ralph Northam on Principles & Values. Click here for more quotes by Charlie Baker on Principles & Values.
*Candidates and political leaders on Principles & Values:*
*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