2024 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Principles & Values

Andy Beshear: My faith teaches me to love my neighbor as myself

Over the past four years, we have gotten through so many hard times together. And now, we are getting to the good times together. We have arrived here by leading with kindness, compassion and empathy for one another. That is what my faith teaches me--to love my neighbor as myself. It is that Golden Rule and the parable of the Good Samaritan that have guided and should guide us. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature Jan 3, 2024

Phil Scott: Our decency to one another is our greatest strength

To me, it's our decency to one another, where we as Americans and Vermonters find our greatest strength. I've seen this my entire life. I saw it in my dad and in my mom, and in the people of my hometown when he passed away. I've seen it in teachers and classmates, co-workers, friends, neighbors, colleagues in the legislature and dedicated state employees. Like many of you, I've tried to pass it on to my kids. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature Jan 4, 2024

Phil Scott: Our decency to one another is our greatest strength

Eric Holcomb: Indiana Model rejects notion of Midwestern vowel state

I'd like to talk about something I call "The Indiana Model," which guides all the work we've been doing together to create lasting, generational change, on the very foundation laid by our pioneering predecessors. Already, it has enabled us to take Indiana to the "Next Level." That's because The Indiana Model seeks excellence, rejecting any notion that a Midwestern "vowel state" would be content with mediocrity, and instead takes giant leaps, rather than baby steps. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Indiana legislature Jan 9, 2024

Kristi Noem: We're doing better than every other state in the nation

South Dakota is doing better than every other state in the nation because we have embraced conservative principles. I've often called our state small, more like a pilot project for conservative reforms to prove if they really do work. And we have proven that they do. Our people are thriving, our economy is growing, and the state has never been in a more stable fiscal situation. We have cut taxes, created jobs, and maximized opportunities. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature Jan 9, 2024

Kristi Noem: Our tribes are part of who we are as South Dakotans

We should respect every person as an individual; as an equal; as an American. Tomorrow, on State-Tribal Relations Day, we will advance an effort that I have been working on since I became governor. We will hang tribal flags in the Rotunda of this Capitol. Three years ago, I signed legislation allowing our state's nine Native American tribes to have their respective tribal flags hung in the Rotunda. Our tribes are part of who we are as South Dakotans, and we will respect their heritage. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to South Dakota legislature Jan 9, 2024

Laura Kelly: Kansas is, at its heart, a small-town kind of state

As we move Kansas forward, it's critical that we not lose sight of what makes our state unique. That we preserve what it means to be a Kansan…what's fundamental to our identity. And that would be rural Kansas. Kansas is, at its heart, a small-town kind of state. One million people--a third of our population--live in communities with fewer than 40 people per square mile. The people who work in our state's most important industry don't wear suits; they wear boots and jeans. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature Jan 10, 2024

Brian Kemp: Character of the American people makes our nation great

Here in Georgia, we've chosen a different path. Because we realize that the success of our state does not rely on the actions of government, but on the prosperity of our people. Washington D.C forgot a long time ago that it's not the brilliance of politicians or the good intentions of a new program that make our nation great. It's the resolve, ingenuity, and character of the American people. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature Jan 11, 2024

Jared Polis: The rise in hate in all forms is unacceptable in Colorado

The rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate in all forms is unacceptable in Colorado. Colorado is a state that welcomes everyone--no matter your country, your background, where you worship, or who you love. Every single person has the right to feel safe at home, in their communities, and at their places of worship. So, we called on this body to help protect nonprofit organizations and religious institutions, like temples and mosques, that are facing a heightened risk of targeted violence. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 11, 2024

Jared Polis: We may not agree on every issue, but we disagree better

It also means continuing to listen to one another and having the tough conversations around the issues that matter most. This is what the Disagree Better initiative is all about. As Vice Chair of the National Governors Association, I've worked alongside the Chair, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on this effort. It's not about agreeing on every issue, for instance Governor Cox and I can't agree on which state has better skiing, even though it's obviously Colorado, but it's about how we can disagree better. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 11, 2024

Jim Justice: We fought for our faith, our families, our freedoms

But it's not all about dollars and cents is it? When it really boils right down to it, it's about the soul of this state. We protected our coal miners, our gun rights and our unborn babies. I could not be more proud. We fought for our faith, did we not? Our families, our freedoms. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the W.V. legislature Jan 10, 2024

Kevin Stitt: The Oklahoma Dream: free enterprise and individual liberties

I see Oklahomans who take seriously the commandment to care for the widow and orphan. A state where family values are foundational. A state where our communities are safe. The Oklahoma Standard is alive and well and we are thriving as a state. But we can't let our success make us complacent and forget what made the Oklahoma Dream possible: free enterprise and individual liberties. Not more government programs. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature Feb 5, 2024

Kevin Stitt: As for me and my state, we will serve the Lord!

As for me and my state, we will serve the Lord!
I'm calling on our businesses to serve God in the marketplace.
Our churches to serve God and people in our communities.
Our government officials to serve God by acting righteously and serving without partiality.

Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature Feb 5, 2024

Spencer Cox: Utah ranked best state; interested in keeping it that way

Probably my favorite ranking comes from U.S. News and World Report where they evaluated all 50 states using thousands of data points and more than 70 different metrics in eight categories. Their goal? To determine definitively, which is the best state. And for the very first time in 2023, Utah was named the best state in the nation. Period. I'm much more interested in why we are objectively the best state. And I'm most interested in how we keep it that way. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature Jan 18, 2024

Tate Reeves: Mississippians aren't bashful about our reliance on the Lord

That's why I'm especially thankful that we were once again able to start this inaugural ceremony with a prayer service Sunday. Mississippians are never bashful about our reliance on the Lord. We know that our faith is responsible for the ties that bind. And I am proud we come together so consistently to lift up our voices in unified prayer to an almighty God. I promise all of you that I will continue seeking God's guidance through every challenge that we face. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Miss. legislature Jan 9, 2024

Tate Reeves: Our goal must be what I call Mississippi Forever

Our goal must be what I call Mississippi Forever. I want to build a state where my daughters, and all of our sons and daughters can proudly stay and raise their families. I want every kid, from the Delta to the Coast, to grow up with the idea that they'll be Mississippi Forever. I want every child to have the opportunities for an education, and a career, that enable them to be Mississippi Forever. I want companies that are born here, to know they can grow here--Mississippi Forever. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Miss. legislature Jan 9, 2024

Wes Moore: ENOUGH Act more than an acronym, it's a governing philosophy

We need to spend smarter across all state programs. Last month, we unveiled landmark legislation guided by that approach. It's called the ENOUGH Act. And it will continue our assault on child poverty. Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households--that's what ENOUGH stands for. But it's more than an acronym. It's a governing philosophy. We believe the people closest to the problems are closest to the solutions. If THEY offer the vision, WE can offer the support. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Maryland legislature Feb 7, 2024

Sarah Huckabee Sanders: We put our trust in our families and our faith in God

The greatest privilege of this job is being with the people of Arkansas, who no matter what will never be broken. We are humble and we are gracious. We work hard and we take care of each other. We put our trust in our families and our faith in God. May we never forget who we are and who we serve. And let us never be afraid to charge boldly ahead. God bless you and may God bless the great State of Arkansas. Thank you. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature Apr 10, 2024

Gavin Newsom: There's only one state with a dream: the California Dream

There's only one state in America with a dream – the California Dream. It's a dream built on opportunity, a dream built on pushing boundaries and celebrating, not merely "tolerating," diversity. That dream propelled us to the front of the pack in the world. Our values and our way of life are the antidote to the poisonous populism of the right, and to the fear and anxiety that so many people are feeling today. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to California legislature Jun 25, 2024

The above quotations are from 2024 Governor's State of the State speeches. Click here for definitions & background information on Principles & Values. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Maura Healey on Principles & Values. Click here for more quotes by Phil Scott on Principles & Values.
*Candidates and political leaders on Principles & Values:*
*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024