Tony Evers in 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: $40 million for Rural Innovation Fund

Many of the challenges that are facing rural Georgia cannot be fixed with a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. These issues are best addressed through targeted, public-private solutions that meet the needs of specific communities. That's why I have included in my budget nearly $40 million to establish a Rural Innovation Fund to provide a readily available pool of resources that empowers rural Georgia businesses and entrepreneurs to get started, expand, and thrive. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 14, 2021

On Crime: 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

On Crime: 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

On Education: COVID: Hold schools harmless for enrollment reductions

I am recommending $647 million to restore funding to school systems across our state, fully fund enrollment growth, and hold schools harmless for enrollment reductions - with $573 million allocated to continue those efforts in next year's budget as well. Those funds mean schools will be able to prioritize our students' safety, ensure quality instruction continues, and stand with our educators in the months and years to come. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 14, 2021

On Health Care: Fund state alternatives to ObamaCare

Georgia has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, and many who are insured are struggling to pay for care. My budget proposal includes $76 million to implement Georgia Pathways and Access to make health care accessible for the first time to thousands and affordable for millions more by scaling back dependence on the failed promises of healthcare.gov, giving low-income Georgians a hand up, and increasing competition in the private sector to drive down costs. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 14, 2021

On Tax Reform: Incentivize in-state pharmaceutical, medical equipment

I was proud to work alongside both legislative chambers to support the passage of a PPE tax credit to incentivize in-state production and ensure that we aren't forced to rely on anyone but our own Georgia Made entrepreneurs for critical supplies. I am proposing a natural next step to the PPE Tax Credit by expanding the letter of the law to cover pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers. We cannot waste time in bidding wars with other states or foreign adversaries. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 14, 2021

On Technology: Ongoing investment in rural broadband expansion

This pandemic highlighted many challenges maybe none more-so than the critical need for high-speed internet access. That is why I'm proud to announce that we're including $20 million for this fiscal year and $10 million per year moving forward to boost access to rural broadband grants so local leaders can continue a growing and vital partnership with the private sector and quickly improve internet access for the people of rural Georgia. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature Jan 14, 2021

On Government Reform: Fixing broken unemployment system is a priority

I'd like to talk about the second bill that should be passed and that's a bill to fix our broken unemployment system. Previous administrations and legislators have known this system was outdated and couldn't handle an economic crisis like the one this pandemic presented, and they never took the time to fix it. I will be calling a special session of the Legislature to take up a plan to modernize our unemployment system and help ensure nothing like this happens to the people of Wisconsin again. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature Jan 12, 2021

On Government Reform: End gerrymandering, stop legislature from destroying records

This year, we're also going to fix another problem: our gerrymandered maps. My biennial budget is going to make sure that the Legislature draws our maps in the light of day, in the public eye, and with public input by requiring public meetings for the map-drawing process. And that's why we're also going to prevent the Legislature from destroying records from the map-drawing process because the people of our state deserve to know how these maps are drawn and by whom. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature Jan 12, 2021

On Technology: Declares 2021 to be Year of Broadband Access

This pandemic has underscored--and in some ways, exacerbated--the digital divide that exists across our state. This pandemic has shown us that lack of access to high-speed internet continues to be a setback for kids, families, and businesses across our state. So, I'm excited to declare 2021 the Year of Broadband Access. My 2021-23 biennial budget will invest nearly $200 million over the biennium into broadband--that's five times the amount invested in the 2013, 2015, and 2017 budgets combined. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to Wisconsin legislature Jan 12, 2021

The above quotations are from 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts from 2021 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for other excerpts by Tony Evers. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022