John Bel Edwards in 2022 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
Federal funds allow us to move on big ticket projects
We are all tired of the jokes about knowing you've entered Louisiana when the roads get bad. Every state is struggling to update their infrastructure. And since becoming governor, we've invested nearly $4.7 billion in projects, including
6,312 miles of our highways, in order to change that narrative. We've made significant progress, but the funds we are receiving from the federal government will allow us to catapult big ticket projects from talk to action.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Crime:
Need to do more to hold few bad police officers accountable
The overwhelming majority of our law enforcement officers work hard every day to protect and serve. We need to do more to hold the very few officers who violate that trust accountable. I intend to support several bills including a package bill
that would clarify the criminal law of malfeasance in office to apply to violations of constitutional civil rights and to provide for revocation of POST certification if an officer is found to have committed such an offense.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Education:
Get teacher pay up to at least the Southern Regional Average
I am recommending that the first $50 million of any increase in the revenue forecast that the REC may recognize before the budget is passed go to increasing teacher raises to $2,000.
It is the least we can do for the people who never gave up on our students despite unprecedented circumstances, and it continues our goal of getting teacher pay up to at least the Southern Regional Average.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Goal is offshore oil platforms, wind turbines side by side
I established the Climate Initiatives Task Force and set a goal of reaching net zero by 2050. What makes Louisiana's plan special, and the most attainable in my opinion, is that instead of working against oil and gas companies, we are working with them.
In this state, that will look like offshore oil platforms and wind turbines side by side. In fact, many oil companies have already pledged to reach similar net zero goals.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Government Reform:
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
On Jobs:
13 year old minimum wage ($7.25) not fair nor acceptable
I can't leave this podium without again making a plea for you to raise the minimum wage. There is not a person in this room who can tell me with a straight face that $7.25, a minimum wage from 13 years ago, is fair or acceptable, especially given
current inflation. 21 other states have increased their minimum wage, including Arkansas and Florida. And yet, every year, efforts to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana, even modestly or gradually, fail. Our workers and families deserve better.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Local Issues:
Protect tenants from wrongful evictions after hurricanes
Suffering damage due to a natural disaster is life altering. And yet, there are landlords who have used it as an opportunity for a cash grab. There are no meaningful repercussions to discourage landlords from proceeding with wrongful evictions.
We're going to change that. We all know what it's like to have to make the difficult decision to temporarily leave our homes because of a storm. Imagine being evicted simply because you chose to keep your family safe.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Local Issues:
Hold insurance companies accountable for post-storm actions
It's unacceptable that many residents are more scared of their insurance companies than the storm itself. We have got to hold companies more accountable. My legislative package includes a number of bills focused on hurricane deductibles, claim
transparency, enforcing insurance fraud laws against bad actors, revamping the adjuster registry so that policyholders can verify their adjusters, and stopping mortgage companies from withholding insurance money from homeowners without good reason.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
On Technology:
GUMBO grants will eliminate digital divide by 2029
It's also with a focus on the future that we are working to eliminate the digital divide--a goal I have set to accomplish by 2029. That's why my administration worked closely with Rep. Deshotel last year to create the Granting Unserved
Municipalities Broadband Opportunities grant program, or GUMBO for short. This program, will provide grants to facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure, connecting more than 471,000 unserved residents in our state.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
Page last updated: Apr 04, 2022