2024 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Budget & Economy
Andy Beshear:
Clean drinking water is a basic human right
I've seen the difference the Cleaner Water Program makes. It's life-changing, and it's something we owe to all our people. That's why I'm proposing we invest another $500 million dollars in grants to our counties and local governments to continue this
vital work. Folks, this is not a partisan issue. Clean drinking water is a basic human right, and this program is building on what we created together.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature
Jan 3, 2024
Phil Scott:
We need to keep our spending within existing revenue
I continue to believe we need to keep our spending within existing revenue. So in full transparency, you can expect my budget will increase by about 3%. I know from experience, many of you view 3% growth as an "austerity" approach. It's important to
know that with this increase, and after meeting our obligations, we have very little money left. If you go higher, we will be spending more than we're taking in, leading to higher taxes and fees, adding to the burden Vermonters are already feeling.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 4, 2024
Phil Scott:
We need to keep our spending within existing revenue
I continue to believe we need to keep our spending within existing revenue. So in full transparency, you can expect my budget will increase by about 3%. I know from experience, many of you view 3% growth as an "austerity" approach. It's important to
know that with this increase, and after meeting our obligations, we have very little money left. If you go higher, we will be spending more than we're taking in, leading to higher taxes and fees, adding to the burden Vermonters are already feeling.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 4, 2024
Brad Little:
We put $1 billion to improve water quality and quantity
Speaking of infrastructure, we put $1 billion to improve water quality and quantity in recent years, and our
IDAHO WORKS plan also calls for the continued expansion of water infrastructure so we can ensure a stable water supply during both the good water years and the bad ones.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 8, 2024
Brad Little:
Working for a Balance Budget Amendment to U.S. Constitution
I am signing on as a member of the Governors Debt Council for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The runaway freight train of federal spending has got to stop. It's not right. It's not what the founders envisioned for our great
country. The U.S. Constitution gives the states the power to propose a Balanced Budget Amendment, and in the coming weeks I will announce new steps we'll take to force Congress to live within the people's means.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 8, 2024
Katie Hobbs:
Rein in wasteful spending without sacrificing public safety
We will rein in wasteful spending without sacrificing public safety and public education. We will establish guardrails on unaccountable programs without hurting hard-working families.
And we will tighten our collective belts through increased efficiencies and innovation without gutting programs that support small businesses, seniors, and those in need.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 8, 2024
Laura Kelly:
$35M/year over five years to deal with water issues
In addition to fully funding the State Water Plan for the second year in a row, we invested an historic $35 million each of the next five years to deal with water issues. And, we're paying off water infrastructure debt early, giving us additional dollars
to resolve the crisis. My budget proposal will include more funding for rural towns to update their water systems. It will provide additional resources to help farmers and ranchers implement water-saving practices.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Phil Murphy:
Hard to support economy with last century's infrastructure
The fact is: it is hard to support the economy of tomorrow with last century's infrastructure. That is why we are continuing to invest in the future of our transportation system at record levels. This past November, we officially broke ground on the
Jersey side of the Hudson Tunnel Rail Project. One of the biggest policy failures in our state's history was when the last administration abandoned this project. We are correcting that mistake.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the N.J. legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Ron DeSantis:
We've reduced debt by embracing smaller government
We are able to reduce debt because we have been fiscally responsible but also because we have embraced smaller government. Florida has the lowest number of state employees per capita at 96 per 10,000 (82 full time), and the lowest cost per state
resident at $40. This year, my budget proposal reduces the budget by $4 billion from the previous year, placing $16.3 billion in reserves and paying down another $455 million in state debt ahead of schedule.I am proposing that we return
$1.1 billion to the people through sweeping tax cuts that will provide even more relief to families, individuals, and retirees just trying to get by during these uncertain times. Let's reduce the cost of homeowners insurance, continue our
record-setting sales tax holidays, and provide permanent tax relief for small businesses. We can take what is already one of the lowest per-capita tax burdens in the country and make our taxes even lower.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Dan McKee:
$100M housing production bond, largest in state history
In addition to the new housing tools passed last year, the budget I'll propose will call for a $100 million housing production bond on the ballot. This would be the largest housing production bond in our state's history. And we're going to ensure that--
if approved by the voters--these dollars will create more inventory and help put young people on a path to homeownership in our state. We know that homeownership is one of the top ways to build generational wealth. Let's get it done.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the R.I. legislature
Jan 17, 2024
Gretchen Whitmer:
$1.4 billion to build or rehabilitate nearly 10,000 homes
In 2024, let's build more of every kind of housing--single family homes, apartments, and mixed-use buildings. In 2024, we will make the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history. We will invest almost $1.4 billion to build or
rehabilitate nearly 10,000 homes. That's10 times what we put into housing just 10 years ago. Getting this done will support thousands of good-paying, middle-class jobs in the skilled trades--from pipefitters and carpenters to bricklayers and roofers.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 24, 2024
Jared Polis:
Help local governments build housing infrastructure
Transit oriented and connected communities can create a better future and drive our prosperity and enjoyment with less traffic, more housing people can afford and better air quality. I'm excited about a proposal that will help local governments build
housing infrastructure in more transit-oriented neighborhoods by addressing construction hurdles like access to water; aging sewer and stormwater systems; and by increasing opportunities for walking, biking, busing and all forms of transportation.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature
Jan 11, 2024
Jim Justice:
My administration does not believe in growing government
As far as a budget goes. This for all practical purposes is the six is a six year where we've absolutely had, for all practical purposes, a flat budget. My administration does not believe in growing government. And my administration does not believe in
dipping into our rainy day fund and using our rainy day fund. We use surpluses. We use earnings to absolutely make choices to do projects to grow this state but we've got to do it while minding that store that I refer to all the time.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the W.V. legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Josh Shapiro:
$1.5B investment in mass transit over the next five years
From the companies I talked about earlier, to the organizers and fans of the FIFA World Cup and the MLB All Star game coming here in 2026… They all want clean, safe, on-time public transit.That's what Pennsylvanians deserve. It's what our economy
needs. And that's why I am proposing the first major new investment in public transit in more than a decade. Under my plan, transit systems across Pennsylvania will receive 1.5 billion dollars over the next five years.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Josh Shapiro:
More state contracts for companies that have been shut out
We need to make sure there's opportunity for all to participate in our economy and build generational wealth. For the first time, the Commonwealth is directly putting state dollars towards creating opportunity for folks who've been shut out for too
long. The largest purchaser of goods and services in Pennsylvania is the Commonwealth. That's why I signed an Executive Order to help those businesses work with us, and we're already making progress.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Maura Healey:
Dealing with a housing shortage that's decades in the making
We tripled tax credits for new housing and increased low-income housing credits. We funded 1,000 new rental vouchers and identified surplus public land for new homes. These steps will make a difference. But we're dealing with a housing shortage that's
decades in the making.To get costs down, we have to go big, and we have to do it now. That means passing our $4 billion Affordable Homes Act--the most ambitious housing plan in Massachusetts history.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Mass. legislature
Jan 17, 2024
Wes Moore:
Create new financial tools to drive housing development
Our state faces a problem of supply and demand. Prices go up because we don't have enough homes. We will create new financial tools to drive development and redevelopment in communities that need it most. We will build new pathways to homeownership
and wealth creation. We will stand up for renters and confront the harsh truth that Maryland has the highest eviction filing rate in America. We will cut government red tape that makes it harder to build quality housing.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Maryland legislature
Feb 7, 2024
Chris Sununu:
Fund to incentivize the construction of new housing units
I launched our InvestNH Housing Fund--a first-of-its-kind fund to incentivize the construction of new housing units. The goal -- to get permits out and houses up. Since launching the program two short years ago,
the total number of permits issued for residential construction has DOUBLED what we expected this past year. More permits issued in more than a decade. And we are now on track to bring thousands of new units online by 2024.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to New Hampshire legislature
Feb 13, 2024
John Carney:
Delaware can't compete if we don't have our budget in order
Despite our efforts, we did not pass legislation to permanently control operating spending at sustainable levels. An earlier General Assembly rejected my proposed Constitutional amendment that would have done just that. It's really pretty simple.
Delaware can't compete in the future if we don't have our budget in order. Right now, a future General Assembly, or a Governor, could lead us down a path of uncontrolled spending. That would lead to higher taxes, and painful cuts. Let's not go backwards.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Mike Dunleavy:
State dollars should stay in Alaska; support local producers
This bill will also provide premium support for crop insurance. In addition, this legislation will repeal institutional purchasing limits on Alaska grown products for the next five years. This will provide a market for producers who want to
scale up their operations. State dollars should stay in Alaska, and state dollars should be used to support Alaskan producers.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Alaska legislature
Jan 30, 2024
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Will work to slow the out-of-control growth of government
Our priorities are reflected in our budget. Hard as it may be, I made a promise to the people of Arkansas that we would work to slow the out-of-control growth of government. With the help of my Cabinet, we kept it. This year's budget increases spending
by only 1.76%, far below the 3% year-over-year increase we've averaged in recent years. Send me a budget that funds critical services for Arkansans while slowing the growth of government and I will sign it.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Apr 10, 2024
Pedro Pierluisi:
Use federal funds to help rebuild the island
Infrastructure Reconstruction--Talked about the use of federal funds to help rebuild the island and invest in new infrastructure. Also noted efforts to increase road maintenance; improve the safety, infrastructure, and efficiency
of public transportation; construct new medical facilities; install solar power systems; and increase the supply of affordable housing.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Puerto Rico legislature
Apr 2, 2024
Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024