Josh Shapiro in 2024 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Women deserve to make their own choices about their bodies
This budget makes feminine hygiene products available at no cost in our schools, because girls deserve to have peace of mind so they can focus on learning. This budget also increases support for health care providers that provide
high-quality family planning tools and reproductive health care services. Because women and girls deserve to make their own choices about their own bodies.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Budget & Economy:
$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
On Budget & Economy:
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
On Civil Rights:
Once led the nation on LGBTQ rights now we're falling behind
We were leading the nation when it came to LGBTQ rights. Now we're falling behind. It's ridiculous that here in Pennsylvania two women can get married on a Sunday and fired from their job on a Monday, just because they're in love.
That their landlord can legally throw them out of their apartment just because he's bigoted. The House passed the Fairness Act to fix this. The Senate should honor our legacy of tolerance, pass that bill, and put it on my desk.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Drugs:
It's time to catch up, legalize, regulate and tax marijuana
Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland--practically all of our neighbors--have legalized marijuana. We're losing out on an industry that, once fully implemented, would bring in more than 250 million dollars in annual revenue.
It's time to catch up. I ask you to come together and send to my desk a bill that legalizes marijuana. But that bill should ensure the industry is regulated and taxed responsibly.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Gun Control:
Let's strengthen our gun laws and bring about more order
With gun violence at unacceptable levels in our communities, it's long past time for us to take real action. This year, we have an opportunity to pass the first significant gun reform legislation in 20 years.
Why the hell are we okay with loopholes on background checks that allow criminals to get their hands on guns? Just close the loopholes. You all like to talk a big game about law and order. So let's strengthen our laws and bring about more order.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Jobs:
Treat career paths with the same respect as choosing college
I'm sick and tired of hearing someone say to a high school student, "well… college just might not be right for you. Maybe you should think about becoming a welder." That elitist attitude is wrong--and it hurts our Commonwealth.
If you're in the 10th or 11th grade and you're excited about being a welder or a plumber, we should celebrate that. And we should treat that career path with the same level of respect as someone who chooses to go to college.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Jobs:
Minimum wage stuck at $7.25/hr for 15 years--It's a shanda!
I'm not looking to give a handout. I want to give a hand up--and create an opportunity economy that gives everyone a shot. In order to create that kind of opportunity, Pennsylvanians need to earn a decent wage. And come on guys, let's be real, our
minimum wage has been stuck at 7.25 an hour for 15 years. It's a shanda! If you don't know what that means, ask the budget secretary later. It's time we raise our minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. Because we're falling behind.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Technology:
Develop a toolkit on digital literacy and critical thinking
We give them devices with access to the entire world at a young age, but never teach them how to use them. Lori and I see this as parents. I don't care whether our kids take a position on the left or on the right… but I do care that they're able to
discern fact from fiction. That's why I've directed the Department of Education to develop a toolkit for teachers and parents on digital literacy and critical thinking.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
On Welfare & Poverty:
We're funding the summer food program so no kid goes hungry
We're continuing to fund universal free breakfast during the school year, but we're also making sure no kid goes hungry during the summer by funding the summer food service program. That's something we should be proud of. And at a time when some
Governors are eschewing federal funding that would ensure kids are well-fed over the summer, we've already shown that we--Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans alike--care about our kids and that we will come together to feed them.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the PA legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024