2020 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Tax Reform
Bill Lee:
Halve professional privilege tax, it's arbitrary and unfair
It's only fair that when the state is fiscally healthy, some of that money be returned to the taxpayer. Tonight, I am announcing a proposal to cut the professional privilege tax in half and return $40 million to individuals and small business owners who
every year pay this arbitrary and unfair tax. Indeed, the state is seeing strong economic times, but many of our local governments are struggling financially, and we certainly don't want to see any local tax increases.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Doug Burgum:
Exempted military retirement benefits from state income tax
In North Dakota, we've got 50,000 veterans who call North Dakota home, and that goes all the way back to some surviving greatest generation, World War II folks, for my dad's generation. Kudos to all of you, because with their leadership,
we exempted military retirement benefits from state income tax. And we cut through red tape so the trailing military spouses with occupational licenses from other states can work here.
Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Doug Burgum:
Private investment in infrastructure reduces property taxes
Communities have a choice about how and where they spend their dollars. And as we look at growing populations it's imperative that we fully utilize the existing infrastructure we've already built to support
that growth rather than extending new infrastructure that raises everyone's property taxes. We have an opportunity through our design choices to drive taxes down, because taxes are driven by the footprint of the city.
Source: 2020 North Dakota State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
J.B. Pritzker:
Property taxes must be seriously reduced
Property taxes in Illinois are simply too high. Local governments continue to max out their levies even when they don't need to. There are perverse incentives in state law that encourage that. We can change the law to support local governments and
lower property taxes. And with nearly 7,000 units of government in Illinois, it's time to empower local taxpayers to consolidate or eliminate them. These changes can make a serious dent in property taxes.
Source: 2020 Illinois State of the State address
Jan 29, 2020
Henry McMaster:
Cut income tax by $2.6 billion over five years
Last year, we returned $67 million to the taxpayers in a one-time rebate check. It was well-received. This year, I propose that we return twenty-five cents of every surplus dollar to the taxpayers through rebates and tax cuts.
It's their money. Many people don't believe it but reducing taxes in fact results in tax receipts increasing, not decreasing. South Carolina has the highest personal income tax rate in the southeast and the twelfth highest in the nation.
Therefore, I ask that we cut our state's personal income taxes by $160 million this first year, for a total of $2.6 billion over five years. This means a 15% across-the-board tax reduction for all personal income brackets, keeping us
competitive with our neighboring states. This year, with a $1.8 billion surplus, if we don't cut taxes and send money back to the people, shame on us.
Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address
Jan 22, 2020
Tony Evers:
Provided a 10% tax cut for Wisconsin families
Finally, I delivered on my campaign promise for a 10-percent tax cut for Wisconsin families. The People's Budget, together with Assembly Bill 251,
provided more than $500 million in tax relief for working, middle-class families. That's money back in your pockets, folks.
Source: 2020 State of the State address on Wisconsin voting record
Jan 22, 2020
Laura Kelly:
Lowering state taxes on groceries a top priority
Rebuilding fiscal stability in Kansas state government has been one of my top priorities as governor. I will submit to you a balanced budget that continues our rebuilding efforts, that continues to pay down debt, and that honors my promise to cut taxes.
Kansas families are taxed more for food than anywhere else in the United States. I've always considered lowering the tax on groceries an urgent need.
Source: 2020 Kansas State of the State address
Jan 16, 2020
Peter Ricketts:
Property tax relief is a top priority
Property tax relief remains the top priority for the people of Nebraska. Last year, we successfully increased the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund from the state to the people of Nebraska by over 20%. I am recommending roughly $500 million in
property tax relief over the next three years to help our farmers, ranchers, home owners, and businesses. I have three principles: No tax increases, protect the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund, and encourage spending restraint in local governments.
Source: 2020 Nebraska State of the State address
Jan 15, 2020
Gina Raimondo:
Cut car tax & unemployment insurance tax
We've made all this progress while cutting taxes every year. So let's continue on that path by cutting the car tax again this year for every single Rhode Islander. Let's also cut taxes for small businesses, who for almost
25 years saw no relief from their unemployment insurance taxes. Tonight, I'm proud to announce the third cut in unemployment insurance taxes since I took office.
Source: 2020 Rhode Island State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Kim Reynolds:
Reduce top state income tax rate to 5.5% by 2023
I have no interest in raising taxes, so any increase in revenue from a sales tax must be more than offset by additional tax cuts. I'm proposing to cut income taxes by an additional 10% for almost every Iowan, with lower-income Iowans receiving
as much as a 25% cut next year. Just one year ago, our top tax bracket was at almost 9%, one of the worst in the country. Our top rate will be down to 5.5% by 2023--significant progress that will make Iowa competitive with our peers.
Source: 2020 Iowa State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Kristi Noem:
No state income tax; committed to keeping it that way
We don't have a corporate income tax. There's no business inventory tax. We are one of the few remaining states with no personal income tax--and I am committed to keeping it that way. We don't burden our citizens with a personal property tax or an
inheritance tax. In addition to my commitment to not raising taxes, our constitution requires a 2/3rd vote in both chambers to raise taxes. If you're worried about tax increases, you needn't be--your business is safe here.
Source: 2020 South Dakota State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Phil Murphy:
Not giving up the fight for a millionaire's tax
I am going to fight for the middle-class values that built New Jersey in the first place. It's why I am not giving up the fight for a millionaire's tax, so we can ease the property tax burden on millions of middle-class families and seniors and do more
to help our public schools. Overwhelming majorities of residents--of all political stripes--support this. We should, too. The millionaires and corporate CEOs made out just fine in the last recession--and they will again when the next one hits.
Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Doug Ducey:
No new taxes on my watch
Let me reiterate what I've said in five prior state of the state speeches, and two inaugural addresses--because apparently it bears repeating--no new taxes; not this session,
not next session; not here in this chamber, not at the ballot box, not on my watch.
Source: 2020 Arizona State of the State address
Jan 13, 2020
Jared Polis:
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
Brad Little:
Budget proposes $35 million in grocery tax relief
One of the staples of conservative governing is to put money back into taxpayers' pockets. I have long supported tax relief for Idahoans on the most basic of needs--groceries.
My budget leverages $35 million from the dedicated Tax Relief Fund to provide Idaho families with grocery tax relief without competing against our General Fund priorities.
Source: 2020 Idaho State of the State address
Jan 6, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021
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