Ralph Northam in 2020 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
End laws restricting woman's right to direct her health care
It's time to end the laws that restrict a woman's right to direct her own health care. Virginia has put these in place over the past 20 years or so. They're not about health care. They are about injecting politics and the government into the
relationship between a woman and her physician.You don't have to be a doctor to know that's bad medicine. No more will legislators in Richmond--most of whom are men--be telling women what they should and should not be doing with their bodies.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Built up financial reserves six times to $1.9 billion
As a doctor, I swore an oath--first, to do no harm. I've learned that's a pretty good lesson for a public official too. We start by protecting people's money. This means building up financial reserves and preserving our AAA bond rating.
This is really important because it makes everything we do easier, and less expensive. So I've sent you a budget that boosts our financial reserves to $1.9 billion dollars. This is six times what we had in the bank when I came into office.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Remove discriminatory language from Virginia laws
We convened a Commission to examine overtly discriminatory language that's still on our books. These include laws banning school integration, prohibiting black and white Virginians from living in the same neighborhoods, and prohibiting
people from getting married unless they're the same race. These words remain enshrined in law, even as many of the Acts have been overturned. It's time to remove these words from Virginia's books.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Crime:
Release unthreatening older or terminally offenders
Criminal justice reform includes reforming parole. If offenders are older, or terminally ill, and they've paid their debt to society, and they're no longer a threat--what's the benefit in keeping them from being eligible for parole? This is about simple
justice and fairness. When you've paid your debt, we should welcome you back, encourage you to participate in civil society, and restore your right to vote. The data show that, and it's just the right thing to do.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Education:
$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
On Education:
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
On Energy & Oil:
Make Virginia 100% carbon free by 2050
We have accomplished a lot, starting with combatting climate change. I set a clear goal: To have 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy--solar and wind--under way during my term, and up to 2,500 megawatts from off-shore wind soon after. That's enough to
power more than a million homes. We aim to have 30 percent of Virginia's electricity come from renewable sources in this next decade, and to make it 100 percent carbon-free by 2050. We're on track to achieve this clean energy goal.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Environment:
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
On Government Reform:
We need to make it easier to vote, not harder
We need to make it easier for people to participate in their government. There's no more fundamental way to do that, than to vote. We need to make it easier to vote, not harder. One, no excuses required to vote absentee. The government shouldn't have to
okay your reason for needing to vote early. And then, we need to make Election Day a holiday. We can do it by ending the Lee-Jackson holiday that Virginia holds a week from Friday. It commemorates a lost cause. It's time to move on.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Gun Control:
Common sense gun laws do not violate Second Amendment
Last summer, after the terrible shooting in Virginia Beach, I called the previous General Assembly into special session to take immediate action. I proposed eight common-sense measures, designed to keep firearms away from dangerous persons.
But there was no action. The measures I proposed did not receive a hearing.We are back, with eight common-sense measures to keep dangerous persons away from firearms.
This common-sense legislation does not violate the Second Amendment. No one is calling out the National Guard. No one is cutting off your electricity or turning off the Internet. No one is going door-to-door to confiscate guns.
These laws are intended to keep Virginians safe. Period. It's time to act.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Health Care:
When people are healthy, they contribute to our economy
Let's turn to health care. I ask you to pass the healthcare equity budget I sent you last month. When people are healthy, they can work and contribute to our economy. That's good for everyone. I also ask you to take three more actions to make health
care easier and more affordable. First, I am sending you legislation to create a state-run marketplace. Second, I ask you to create a "reinsurance program." Then, it's time to end the laws that restrict a woman's right to direct her own health care.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Jobs:
Raise minimum wage; distinguish contractors and employees
Just because you have a job doesn't always mean you can survive on it. The people who are building our economy should benefit from it too. The companies that recognize this will get ahead. So let's work together to raise the minimum wage.
Let's work together to help companies properly distinguish between contractors and employees. This will help workers get the fair treatment and benefits they deserve.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Principles & Values:
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
On Technology:
Need to change the way transit & roads are funded
Transit systems, bridges, and roads enable Virginia to compete in a fast-changing global economy. It's no secret that the current way we fund transportation is simply not sustainable. It's good that people are burning less gas driving cleaner and more
efficient cars. But that means revenues are dropping, while transportation costs are rising. We need to reform transportation funding this session and start to make new investments in transit to help commuters and low-income people get to work.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Technology:
We need to invest $35 million per year in broadband
We also need to invest in broadband. Because the changing economy is about much more than moving people and goods--it's also about moving information. Broadband has become an economic necessity for business, for education, for healthcare, and for
everyday life. So I've sent you a budget that invests $35 million each year to get more communities connected. I ask you to pass it.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
On Welfare & Poverty:
Affordable housing attracts jobs & builds communities
I want us to also work together to make sure that people have a roof over their heads. Affordable housing helps attract jobs and build thriving communities. But this basic necessity is out of reach for too many people, especially in a strong economy.
So I'm proposing to triple the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, which works to increase affordable housing and keep people from experiencing homelessness. We're also proposing a new program to help reduce evictions.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021