2024 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Crime
Andy Beshear:
Requests $35M for body armor for police, first responders
That is why my budget increases the pay once again of our Kentucky State Police troopers and officers. I am further requesting $35 million dollars to fund grants for body armor to better protect our law enforcement and first responders on those days
when they are required to run toward danger. Let's make sure every single law enforcement officer has the very best protection.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature
Jan 3, 2024
Phil Scott:
Consider strategies to fight crime besides justice reform
When those who victimize others are put back on the streets, hours after being apprehended only to reoffend again and again, Vermonters question law enforcement. We've made progress on justice reform and treating addiction as the public health
crisis it is. But when spiking crime rates make it clear that not all the changes have been effective, we have a responsibility to take a step back and consider other strategies.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 4, 2024
Phil Scott:
Consider strategies to fight crime besides justice reform
When those who victimize others are put back on the streets, hours after being apprehended only to reoffend again and again, Vermonters question law enforcement. We've made progress on justice reform and treating addiction as the public health
crisis it is. But when spiking crime rates make it clear that not all the changes have been effective, we have a responsibility to take a step back and consider other strategies.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 4, 2024
Kathy Hochul:
Strengthen penalties for assaulting a retail worker
But now the Supreme Court is poised to possibly overturn a law that keeps guns away from the abusers. We need to strengthen protections. We're dedicating $20 million so district attorneys can gather evidence to prosecute abusers and take their guns away.
And we're committing more funding so police can protect those most at risk of abuse and clamp down on repeat offenders because every survivor should have the same chance to break the chain of violence and build a new life.
For the very first time, we're launching a joint operation between federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with the brand new state police unit, to crack down on organized retail theft. I'm also proposing to help those business owners with a
tax credit to help them cover the additional security costs. And I'll work with the legislature to strengthen penalties for assaulting a retail worker or fostering the sale of stolen goods online.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to New York legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Katie Hobbs:
Increase penalties for violations by care facilities
I'm calling on the Legislature to strengthen our state's standards for sober living homes and long-term care facilities, and significantly increase penalties for bad actors. I'm putting forward a package of bills that will:- Ensure facilities
cannot hide or erase their violation history
- Increase fines
- Standardize inspections
- Empower Adult Protective Services to seek emergency protection orders
- And establish standardized credentials for Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory care.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 8, 2024
Kristi Noem:
Criminals should also have the opportunity to rehabilitate
But if South Dakotans do get involved in drugs or another aspect of crime, that should not be the final word. Their punishment should match their crime, but they should also have the opportunity to rehabilitate. The Sixth Circuit Problem-Solving
Court is a rigorous program that includes five phases and requires frequent alcohol and drug testing. It's a proven strategy that reduces recidivism, saves taxpayer dollars in the long-run, and restores hope and dignity for these individuals.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Phil Murphy:
Reject notion that compassion comes at the cost of vigilance
We must continue reforming a justice system that has failed Black and Brown communities for far too long. That means undoing the damage of the failed War on Drugs. And helping our neighbors who have been unjustly thrown behind bars get back on track.
I will be announcing a new clemency initiative that will ensure we live up to our promise as the state for second chances. We need to reject the notion that compassion comes at the cost of vigilance.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the N.J. legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Henry McMaster:
Expand operations against animal fighting with new agents
Animal fighting, especially dog fighting, is one of the cruelest criminal activities in our society. In September 2022, a SLED agent was dedicated to combating animal fighting. Shortly thereafter, the agent helped execute one of the "biggest takedowns
of a dogfighting operation in South Carolina history," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. This Executive Budget expands upon this success by recommending $566,000 to hire three additional SLED agents dedicated to animal fighting.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 24, 2024
Jared Polis:
Acted to make criminal penalties for auto theft tougher
When a car is stolen, it impacts employment, health care visits, child care access, and many aspects of daily life. And we invested in technology to locate and return stolen vehicles, and we strengthened the dedicated auto-theft task force.
We provided more support for District Attorneys to successfully prosecute the criminals responsible, and we took action to make criminal penalties for auto theft tougher by eliminating the value of a vehicle from consideration.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature
Jan 11, 2024
Wes Moore:
We take an all-of-the-above approach to public safety
Our administration will continue an all-of-the-above approach to public safety;- We will listen to law enforcement AND the communities they protect;
- We will listen to State's Attorneys AND our public defenders;
- We will listen to elected
leaders AND our local advocates.
- Marylanders are seeking justice for victims of crime--more accountability for people who break the law--and better rehabilitation for our children.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Maryland legislature
Feb 7, 2024
Mike Parson:
Cleared clemency backlog; only pardoned the deserving
When I became Governor, we inherited nearly 4,000 pending clemency applications. While I'm a law and order Governor, 4,000 people in limbo waiting for an answer is not how we do good business. I'm proud to announce that the clemency backlog
we inherited has been totally cleared. BUT as a former sheriff, this reform did not mean we were letting people out of prisons or forgiving violent criminals, we pardoned people who deserved it, people who had truly turned their lives around.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature
Jan 24, 2024
Jay Inslee:
More state troopers and forensic scientists
This Legislature was bold enough to stand up to the NRA and pass some of the best gun reforms in America. It did not matter how many defeats we had to take--we finally banned assault weapons in this state. Gun reform is public safety.
Washington state also needs more police officers. My budget funds more state troopers and forensic scientists, an organized retail theft task force, and more funding for drug trafficking investigations.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Washington legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
No more catch and early release of violent repeat offenders
Last year, the legislature passed, and I signed Death by Delivery, which charges fentanyl dealers with murder if the drugs they traffic cause a fatal overdose. And we came together again to pass the Protect Act. No more catch and early release of
violent repeat offenders. In Arkansas, we will keep the most dangerous criminals off our streets. We're paving the way to build a new, 3,000-bed prison. And we've opened up 1,000 beds in our existing capacity to take pressure off local jails.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Apr 10, 2024
Tim Walz:
Funding for Criminal Apprehension and State Patrol HQ
We announced a major new infrastructure plan--an ambitious effort to invest in things that make our communities strong: clean water and safe streets and affordable housing. Our plan invests in making sure every community has safe streets. Violent crime
declined across the state last year. Still, we take public safety seriously, and we're putting real funding behind that commitment, including expanding capacity for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and planning for a new State Patrol headquarters.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Minnesota legislature
Mar 26, 2024
Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024