2022 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Government Reform
John Bel Edwards:
Vetoed Congressional redistricting for racial imbalance
The current demographic makeup of our state shows that the percentage of African American population has grown over the last 10 years and yet, while numerous maps were filed reflecting this growth, none of these maps made it to my desk.
The most egregious in my view is the Congressional map because there are half as many majority minority districts as the law, basic fairness and I believe basic math require. Therefore, I vetoed the Congressional bill.
Having personally witnessed redistricting twice now, I can say that the current process is not working. That is why I am supporting legislation to establish an independent redistricting commission to support the
Legislature in reapportionment for future redistricting. 18 other states have some type of commission, and I think we should be the 19th.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
Doug Burgum:
Make it easier, not harder, to come work in North Dakota
Over the next year, our administration will continue to work with businesses, associations, and licensing boards to cut red tape. We can and must be dedicated to creating the most open and transferable occupational licensing system in the nation.
We have to make it easier. Easiest would be great. We have to make it easier, not harder, to come work in North Dakota than other states. Flexibility will not completely solve our workforce challenges, but it'll make a big dent.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to North Dakota legislature
Feb 16, 2022
Mark Gordon:
We enacted strong voter ID law, election integrity critical
There are two constitutional duties that need to be addressed in the coming days: preparing a balanced budget for the upcoming biennium and making sure that legislative districts are
properly reapportioned after the last census. Last year you passed and I signed into law a strong voter ID law. Election integrity is critical. Wyoming is proud of its citizen legislators -- and the way we select them.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Wyoming legislature
Feb 14, 2022
Ned Lamont:
Let's make easier absentee balloting a reality for everyone
Your vote makes a difference. Four years ago, hundreds of voters in New Haven waited for hours in the pouring rain, clutching a soaked ballot in order to cast their vote. The last two elections, voters turned out in force because they could vote
absentee. Let's make easier absentee balloting a reality not just during a pandemic. Make it easier for voters to vote. I like people knowing they have a stake in the election, that their vote makes a difference.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Connecticut legislature
Feb 9, 2022
Spencer Cox:
Voting security must never be about making it harder to vote
Some have found that unsubstantiated claims and flat-out lies are an effective way to destabilize our constitutional republic and make it harder for their opponents to participate and vote. Voting security must never be about making it harder
for legal voters to vote. As a conservative, I believe that we should always work to make constitutional rights more accessible, not less. We can have safe and secure elections without making it harder to exercise our constitutional right to vote.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature
Jan 20, 2022
Henry McMaster:
Create an Election Integrity and Compliance Audit Program
The right to vote is the single most important right protected by the Constitution. In 2020 we learned that our state's election laws were not being applied properly and consistently by election officials. My Budget proposes creating a new
Election Integrity and Compliance Audit Program at the State Election Commission. Teams of auditors, working for the State, will conduct regular and routine examinations to confirm the integrity of elections conducted on the state and local level.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 19, 2022
Jay Inslee:
Outlaw efforts by pols whose election lies cause violence
We just marked the 1-year anniversary of the insurrection in our nation's Capitol. That continues to this day under the banner of the "Big Lie." The right to representative government is under attack. It is time we stand up to
those who challenge the integrity of our elections, who undermine basic democratic principles and who would do away with the rule of law. I think we
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to Washington legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Kristi Noem:
Eliminate fees for starting or renewing a business
Let's eliminate fees associated with starting or renewing a business with the Secretary of State in South Dakota. In 2020, the theme of my State of the State was "Open for Business," and we are continuing that commitment today.
We are already among the most business-friendly states in America, and with this step, we will make it even easier to do business here.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Ron DeSantis:
Clean the voter rolls, mails ballots only on request
It is Orwellian doublespeak to invoke the concept of "Voting rights" to mean ballot harvesting, prohibiting voter ID and taxpayer funding of elections. Ballot harvesting has no place in Florida and we need to increase the penalties for those who do it.
We also need to ensure that supervisors clean the voter rolls, that only citizens are registered to vote and that mail ballots only go to those who actually request them before each individual election.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Brad Little:
We have cut or simplified 95% of Idaho regulations
While D.C. continues to crank out onerous new regulations, we took an axe to Idaho's regulations for three straight years, and we continue to widen our lead as the least regulated state in the nation. In fact, since I took office three years ago, we
have cut or simplified 95% of Idaho regulations. And now, through our Zero-Based Regulation initiative, this year we aim to cut or simplify another 20% of what remains, removing rocks from the shoes of small businesses.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 10, 2022
Brad Little:
Proactive integrity audits to enhance election transparency
I am proposing $12 million to establish the new Cyber Response and Defense Fund to ensure the state is prepared to respond to any cyber-attack from bad actors in China, Russia, or elsewhere.
I'm also pushing for proactive integrity audits to enhance transparency and confidence in our elections here in Idaho. We must make election integrity a priority, to give our citizens confidence that their vote matters.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 10, 2022
Doug Ducey:
Hidden taxes of the regulatory state can be the real killer
But as any business person knows: The hidden taxes of the regulatory state can be the real killer. And for small businesses, start-ups and independent contractors, these regulations are a death sentence. We've taken a baseball bat to
that bureaucracy, with a moratorium on new regulations ever since 2015. We've already saved taxpayers $169 million. Let's make these reforms permanent, in law, and ensure Arizona is always the land of economic freedom and opportunity for all.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 10, 2022
Kathy Hochul:
Enact two-term limits for statewide elected officials
We are submitting a proposal to the legislature to enact two term limits for Statewide officials. For government to work, those of us in power cannot continue to cling to it. We need to continually pass the baton to new leaders with
different perspectives and fresh ideas. Our reforms include a ban on outside income for Statewide officials because our only job should be to serve the people of New York.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the New York legislature
Jan 5, 2022
Page last updated: Apr 04, 2022
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