2021 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Crime
John Bel Edwards:
Create an Office of Human Trafficking Prevention
We will create an Office of Human Trafficking Prevention within the Office of the Governor. Ending human trafficking is an issue that both my wife Donna and I are very passionate about. We have certainly made progress when it comes to identifying
trafficking cases and supporting survivors. But creating a designated office will allow us to place an even more concentrated effort on ending these horrific crimes that are tantamount to modern day slavery.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Louisiana legislature
Apr 12, 2021
Ron DeSantis:
Opposes insane fantasy of defunding law enforcement
Florida is a state dedicated to law and order. When riots broke out across the nation last year, we saw cities ruined by violent mobs. Law enforcement was targeted and lawlessness prevailed. This was not--and must never be--tolerated in the state of
Florida. We have proposed the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement reforms in the nation. We will not permit localities to jeopardize the safety of their citizens by indulging in the insane fantasy of defunding law enforcement.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Florida legislature
Mar 2, 2021
Chris Sununu:
Committed to bring greater accountability to our system
This budget continues the commitment I made to bring greater accountability to our system by funding the Public Integrity Unit within the Attorney General's Office. It's an independent, statewide office that reviews complaints of misconduct. It invests
into our new programs in the Police Standards and Training Academy. And it creates a $1 million matching fund for local Law Enforcement Agencies to make the investments they desperately need, like body and dashboard cameras.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: New Hampshire legislature
Feb 11, 2021
Bill Lee:
Improved enforcement training for police cadets
You've heard me say many times that we have to be tough on crime, and smart on crime. Safe neighborhoods require law enforcement that is well-supported and well-trained, and we have made a number
of important strides for criminal justice reform and police training this year.We've improved training standards and paid for almost 100 cadets to attend improved law enforcement training at no cost to their local communities.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 8, 2021
Greg Abbott:
Emergency laws to prevent cities from defunding the police
We will support our law enforcement officers, not demonize and defund them. Defunding law enforcement invites crime and chaos into communities. It risks the lives and livelihoods of innocent people. To keep Texans safe, and to
discourage cities from going down this dangerous path, we must pass laws that prevent cities from defunding police. This issue is so urgent, I am making it an emergency item this session.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 2, 2021
Kay Ivey:
New modern prisons will improve conditions, rehabilitation
The cornerstone of our ongoing efforts is the Alabama Prison Program--a bold undertaking to replace the state's aging and failing prison infrastructure with safe, new, sustainable and affordable men's prisons. Not only will these modern facilities
improve prison conditions and safety for both staff and inmates, they will also be designed to accommodate inmate rehabilitation. Rehabilitated inmates are much less likely to reoffend and much more likely to become productive members of society.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Alabama legislature
Feb 2, 2021
Mike Dunleavy:
Ramp up prosecution for sexual crimes and domestic violence
Our work continues with plans to establish a major crimes unit focused on prosecuting felony sex crimes in Western Alaska. For too long, this region of our state has been plagued by unacceptable levels of sexual violence against our most vulnerable.
My budget calls for $7 million to be put toward ramping up the prosecution of those who commit crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence. I've requested that the Legislature fully fund each of our domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature
Jan 28, 2021
Mike Parson:
Require de-escalation and bias recognition police training
I challenged the POST Commission to take a leading role in advancing the training Missouri provides officers and help improve relationships with the public. The Commission followed through on this challenge, voting to require annual training in
de-escalation and bias recognition for all Missouri law enforcement officers. We believe this training will lead to better interactions between law enforcement and the communities we serve.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 27, 2021
Charlie Baker:
Passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws
The horrific murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis brought the issue of systemic racism to the forefront of our national dialogue. We acted and passed one of the most comprehensive police reform laws in the country. The new law bans chokeholds,
limits no-knock warrants, and creates a new independent state entity with the power to establish policing standards, certify law enforcement officers, investigate allegations of misconduct, and suspend or revoke certification.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Massachusetts legislature
Jan 26, 2021
John Carney:
We banned chokeholds, now body cameras for every officer
Last year we banned choke holds. This year, we will support a plan to get body cameras for every police officer in the state.
There is so much more work to be done, but we have made important progress this year.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Jan 26, 2021
Peter Ricketts:
Build a new, modern correctional facility
By 2025, Nebraska's corrections system is forecasted to house over 6,400 inmates. Today, we have an operational capacity of over 5,300 inmates, and the Nebraska State Penitentiary is decaying. To help protect public safety and to replace the
State Penitentiary, I am proposing that we build a new, modern correctional facility. This facility will require an initial investment of $115 million in this budget for a total of $230 million by the time it is completed and operational in 2025.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Nebraska legislature
Jan 14, 2021
Tony Evers:
As long as I'm governor, we back the blue!
I don't believe it's ever been more dangerous or more challenging to wear a law enforcement uniform, but police officers across our state have made us proud. Our state cannot prosper or reap a good harvest without safe communities, safe streets, and safe
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature
Jan 14, 2021
Tony Evers:
Reform laws to help victims of sex trafficking
Let's build on the work done by the GRACE Commission by implementing more training programs that equip Georgians to prevent instances of sex slavery. Let's make common sense reforms to our laws, so survivors seeking a name change to build a
new life no longer have to take out an ad in the paper that puts their safety at risk, and let's strengthen our statutes to add a civil remedy that allows victims to seek court action against their traffickers or those who knowingly aided in trafficking.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature
Jan 14, 2021
Henry McMaster:
Shield companies providing drugs for lethal injection
The Department of Corrections has been unable to carry out the death penalty by lethal injection since 2015 because the companies which make the drugs will not sell them unless their identities are shielded by state law from anti-death penalty
activists. We have no means to carry out a death sentence in South Carolina--and the murderers know it. I ask the General Assembly: fix this. Give these grieving families and loved ones the justice and closure they are owed by law.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature
Jan 13, 2021
Ralph Northam:
It's time to end the death penalty in Virginia
Most countries in the world have turned away from capital punishment. There are a lot of reasons. It doesn't work as a deterrent. It's expensive. And the drug companies refuse to supply the lethal chemicals. There's another important reason:
What if the system gets it wrong? It's time to change the law and end the death penalty in Virginia.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 13, 2021
Asa Hutchinson:
Let's not be last state to enact hate crimes legislation
Let me move to a more difficult subject, hate crimes legislation. The main objection that I hear from my conservative friends, is that it gives some people more protection than others. The only way we can come together on this is for us to listen to
each other, and to step into others's shoes. Polls show that a clear majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents support passage of this kind of legislation. Let's not be the last to enact it. Let's lead and do what is important for so many.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Jay Inslee:
Investigations & prosecutions into racial injustice
The police-citizen violence we saw in 2020 alone has traumatized the nation. And we need not only conversations but action -- action on truths that have been overlooked for far too long. We will incorporate equity into how our laws are applied and
how our institutions are run, including independent investigations and prosecutions. We owe it to countless Washingtonians who live with the realities of racial injustice every day, and who are less free because of it.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Washington legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Kim Reynolds:
There will be no talk of defunding the police here
We should never be afraid to talk about ways to improve policing, but there will be no talk of defunding the police here. Our men and women in blue will always have my respect, and I will always have their back.
The bill will make clear that if you riot or attack our men and women in uniform, you will be punished. We won't stand for it.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Iowa legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Kim Reynolds:
Ban racial profiling and other forms of disparate treatment
The bill will also ban racial profiling and other forms of disparate treatment. Because no actions should ever be taken based upon the color of someone's skin. As Martin Luther King Jr. recognized, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Let's come together again, like we did last year, to support our law enforcement and racial justice. Let's make Iowa a safer place for everyone.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Iowa legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Phil Murphy:
Eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes
We're making our justice system more transparent and fair not just for our sake, but to make New Jersey a national model for positive transformation in policing and ending racial inequities.
I also remain committed to eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug and property crimes -- these reforms are long-overdue.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Brad Little:
Other places defund the police; Idaho defends the police
My plan invests in the items necessary to support frontline personnel at the Idaho State Police--and training for our local frontline police officers.
While other places seek to defund the police, I am proud to say that Idaho DEFENDS the police. Idaho "backs the blue."
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022
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