Nathan Deal in State of Georgia Archives
On Budget & Economy:
We survived Great Recession, and reformed state government
In January 2011, this Capitol building was engulfed in the worst snow and ice storm in several decades. In hindsight it was analogous to the deep freeze that had descended on the economies of the US and Georgia, which is sometimes referred to as the
Great Recession.Although the sunny January days in Georgia melted the effects of our surprise storm, no such relief was forthcoming for the economy. Businesses closed; buildings became vacant; families lost their homes. Congress applied historical
amounts of financial salt and sand, known as the stimulus, on the ice laden roads of commerce, but traffic still could not move. Georgia reduced spending and consumed cash reserves.
I will not recount further the disastrous effects of the
Great Recession on our citizens, some of which have left permanent scars. Instead, I want to tell you how our state government not only survived, but have reformed our operations in order to better serve our citizens.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Georgia legislature
Jan 15, 2014
On Budget & Economy:
Mandated spending is shrinking discretionary budget
Our mandatory entitlement spending continues to grow through no fault of our own. Although we have seen our revenue grow, we have also seen mandated expenditures grow in the areas of health care and education,
taking up ever larger segments of our overall annual budgets. In fact, the discretionary portion of the budget, which is now roughly 17 percent, continues to shrink. Rising health care costs continue to be a major factor.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Welcome everyone, instead of "religious liberty"
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the "religious liberty" bill that triggered a wave of criticism from gay rights groups and business leaders. In a press conference at the state Capitol, Deal said House Bill 757 doesn't reflect Georgia's welcoming image as a
state full of "warm, friendly and loving people"--and warned critics that he doesn't respond well to threats of payback for rejecting the measure.The governor's veto infuriated religious conservatives who considered the measure,
House Bill 757, their top priority. Last year's Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex weddings galvanized their efforts. In stark terms, the governor said earlier this year that he would reject any measure that "allows discrimination in
our state in order to protect people of faith." Rooting his critique in biblical language, he urged fellow Republicans to take a deep breath and "recognize that the world is changing around us."
Source: AJC on Georgia legislative voting records: HB 757
Apr 9, 2016
On Crime:
Accountability courts to avoid 5,000 prison beds
In Public Safety, let's capitalize on the success that we have already had in criminal justice reform, in which, last year, we crafted legislation that saves both lives and taxpayer dollars.
Through increased use of accountability courts--drug, DUI, mental health and veteran courts--along with other measures, this state will avoid the need to add 5,000 prison beds over five years and save taxpayers at least $264 million; these measures
simultaneously decrease the number of offenders who end up back in jail after being released--and create productive, taxpaying citizens rather than more dangerous criminals. And we have continued funding for accountability courts by allocating
$11.6 million toward that purpose in my budget proposal.This year we will continue our work by bringing legislation designed to produce better results with juvenile offenders and divert them from the adult system.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 17, 2013
On Crime:
20% pay raise for state-level law enforcement
In September of this past year, we announced a 20 percent pay raise for state-level law enforcement. These brave men and women don a badge and vest each day as they go to face uncertainty on their shifts in service of their fellow citizens.
They protect our lives and property, and it is only fitting that they should be paid a competitive salary.I am told that in the month following this announcement, Georgia State Patrol had more trooper applications than in the entire previous year.
The second component of that law enforcement improvement announcement was an expansion of training on deescalating violence, community policing and alternatives to deadly force as well as providing access to local law enforcement for
Crisis Intervention Training, which provides instruction on how to safely handle situations involving those with mental impairment.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
On Crime:
Accountability courts fight recidivism
We are offering those who have made mistakes and are willing to work hard to correct them a second chance through our accountability courts. Individuals whose lives were once controlled by addictions are now able to reclaim forfeited potential,
reconnect with their children, retain employment & contribute as taxpaying citizens, and restore hope for a brighter tomorrow. I am happy to report that every one of our 49 judicial circuits now has at least one type of accountability court in operation.
Source: 2018 Georgia State of the State address
Jan 11, 2018
On Drugs:
BUI: Boating Under the Influence: if blood alcohol over .10%
This past summer, Georgia witnessed several tragic accidents on our waterways. We know alcohol is involved in over 50 percent of all boating fatalities each year. On Georgia's roads, if the operator of a vehicle has a
Blood Alcohol content of .08 or higher, he can be charged with Driving Under the Influence. However, you cannot be charged with Boating Under the Influence unless your Blood Alcohol level is .10 or higher.
The Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law that I am proposing will change that. If you are too drunk to drive an automobile, you are too drunk to drive a boat!I will also propose, through the Kile Glover Boat Education Law,
that you place age limits and educational requirements on young operators of boats and personal watercraft and that children who are 13 or younger must wear life jackets when riding in an open boat that is moving.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 17, 2013
On Education:
$15M for science/tech charter schools
Let me highlight some of the projects I propose for bond funding: $231 million for K-12 construction, equipment and buses; $15 million for funding for STEM charter schools that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, areas
that are vital to our competiveness in the global economy; $35 million for water and sewer infrastructure; $50 million for repairs and renovations in the University System, and $28 million for upgrades at our technical colleges.
Source: 2011 Georgia State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
On Education:
Criticizing Common Core diverts from advancing education
Gov. Deal has conducted a delicate dance with Common Core, the education guidelines that his Republican predecessor helped set in motion. Deal supported the program initially, but last year called for the state Board of Education to review the state's
participation amid growing pushback from tea party types and other critics.But Monday, the governor seemed to lament the controversy stoked by conservatives who see Common Core as a federal takeover of education: "It's unfortunate that that has
diverted so much time and attention when I think we could have spent our efforts and resources perhaps more focused on advancing education."
Deal noted that Common Core doesn't stray into more controversial subjects, such as social studies: "We've only
adopted in two areas. One is math. The other is language arts. People ought to know how to write a sentence and compose a paragraph. I have a hard time seeing the political implications of the two."
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution: 2014 Georgia governor's race
Feb 25, 2014
On Education:
Grants for technical skills training will help employment
We need to address the skills gap that our employers are encountering. With your support over the past three years, we have identified eleven areas where a student will receive a 100% tuition HOPE Grant to obtain that training.
These Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grants cover 140 programs, and I am recommending that we add industrial maintenance this year to that important list. I am proposing to devote $17.1 million in 2017 for all of these programs.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Education:
Facilitate young adults learning about computer science
In order to further modernize our K-12 education system, I asked the State Board of Education and the University System of Georgia to allow certain high school computer science courses to count as core courses in high school and for purposes of
college admission. Both entities have agreed, and there are currently nine computer science courses that count towards requirement. This will give us more early learners in a field that is and will continue to be in high demand by employers.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Education:
Public schools have discretion in how to spend funds
Over the past five years we have prioritized public education and we will do so again by appropriating an additional $300 million for K-12 education. We will distribute this money to your local school system under the existing QBE formula, but
it is our intention that a 3% pay raise will be passed along to teachers. If that does not happen, it will make it more difficult next year for the state to grant local systems more flexibility in the expenditure of state education dollars.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Education:
Schools should use testing sparingly but effectively
The federal government has given states greater latitude regarding testing of students and I call on our State Department of Education and local school systems to evaluate their testing requirements. If a test is not necessary to advance
and tailor instruction, it should be eliminated. Tests that are duplicative and do not enhance educational achievement should be abolished. For example, we did away with the mandated graduation exam--enabling thousands of students to graduate.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Families & Children:
19% pay raise for Family and Children Services
Selfless public service and dedication are not confined to any one agency of state government. They are replete in our state workforce, including the Division of Family and Children Services (DFACS). My budget proposal includes, on average, a
19 percent pay raise for DFCS caseworkers so that we can both ensure a competitive salary for those who fill these vital roles and so that we can recruit and retain the best possible candidates to look after the safety of our youngest and most
vulnerable citizens.That same desire to attract and retain quality public servants extends throughout the state workforce, which is why I recommended and this legislative body approved a 3 percent allocation for a merit,
recruitment and retention pay increase for state employees last year. My FY2018 budget proposal also accentuates this positive with another increase of a 2 percent allocation.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
On Government Reform:
Fulfill true purposes of government then get out of the way
Last year, I told you that I had a goal: To fulfill the truest purposes of government--the ones for which Georgians need their government most--"and then get out of the way so that they can live their lives in freedom and as they see fit."
So far, I believe we have done that well. We have made communities safer, improved educational opportunities, provided for infrastructure improvements, driven workforce development, generated a better business environment and created jobs.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 17, 2013
On Gun Control:
Veto "campus carry;" it won't make students safer
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed legislation that would allow college students to carry concealed guns onto campuses after lawmakers defied his personal request for changes that would make exceptions to the gun rights expansion.House Bill 859 would legalize
firearms at all public colleges in Georgia. "If the intent of HB 859 is to increase safety of students on college campuses, it is highly questionable that such would be the result," Deal wrote in his veto message.
The gun measure, known as the "campus carry" bill, was long sought by conservatives and Second Amendment activists who cast it as a crucial safety measure for students, faculty and administrators to protect themselves.
Deal [had requested the legislature] to exempt on-campus child care facilities, faculty or administrative office space and disciplinary meetings in a separate measure, but they declined to make changes.
Source: AJC on Georgia legislative voting records: HB 859
May 3, 2016
On Health Care:
ObamaCare will cost Georgia $2.5B over next ten years
The overreaching federal health care legislation will greatly add to the burden that we face. In fact, it will add approximately 650,000 Georgians to the Medicaid rolls. This mandated expansion of service will cost Georgia Medicaid an additional
$2.5 billion in State funds alone over the next ten years. The Obama Administration has placed onerous Maintenance of Effort requirements as well, which have severely tied our hands with respect to managing our state Medicaid program.
Source: 2011 Georgia State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
On Health Care:
Guaranteed ER room treatment means excessive ER visits
Gov. Nathan Deal has often called on Congress to reconsider the Affordable Care Act. But on Monday evening, he pushed his former Washington colleagues to revisit a separate health care law that fewer politicians openly critique. The Emergency Medical
Treatment and Labor Act is a 1986 law that requires hospitals to provide emergency health care treatment to anyone who needs it, regardless of citizenship or their ability to pay. It's provided life-saving care to countless people, but it's also strained
hospital resources and turned emergency rooms into the first stop, instead of a last resort, for some."If they really want to get serious about lowering the cost of health care in this country, they would revisit another federal statute," Deal told
the crowd. "It came as a result of bad facts, and bad facts make bad law. I think we should be able to figure out ways to deal with those situations but not have the excessive costs associated with unnecessary visits to the emergency room."
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution: 2014 Georgia governor's race
Feb 25, 2014
On Health Care:
Refuses to expand Medicaid rolls under ObamaCare
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, which requires hospitals to provide emergency health care treatment to anyone who needs it, regardless of citizenship or their ability to pay, is an important topic for Deal,
given that many hospitals in rural Georgia are caught in the financial pinch caused by the governor's refusal to expand Medicaid rolls, and the Affordable Care Act's reduction of federal cash for indigent care.
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution: 2014 Georgia governor's race
Feb 25, 2014
On Health Care:
Medicaid expansion costs too much
The cost of Medicaid has grown from $2.6 billion in FY2013 to $3.1 billion in FY2017. Medicaid and PeachCare spending per Georgia family amounts to $1,258 per annum. When federal and other costs are added to this number, it is at least $4,365 each year.
And that's without expansion. Had we elected to expand Medicaid, it would have required us to include approximately $209 million in this upcoming year's budget alone and that number would only continue to grow exponentially.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Health Care:
Affordable Care Act is waste of money
To demonstrate our compliance with the mandates of the Affordable Care Act, we must devote $2.1 million in FY2017 budget just to turn in the paper work. When you combine the cost of federal dollars to that total, it is $4.4 million. In other words, this
is just what it costs to tell the IRS that everyone in our State Health Benefit Plan and Medicaid program is covered. I can assure you that those funds could have been put to better use than on bureaucratic paperwork.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Georgia legislature
Jan 13, 2016
On Health Care:
Prohibit healthcare plans from covering abortion
Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.OnTheIssues Interpretation:
ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; signed by Gov. Deal April 21
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98
Apr 29, 2014
On Jobs:
Employment is primary goal of education: more HOPE Grants
Since employment is a primary goal of education, I want to commend the Chancellor of our University System and the Commissioner of our Technical College System for evaluating and refocusing their programs of study to give priority to those educational
paths that have a proven record of employability. It is a tragedy when a young person works hard, accumulates debt for student loans and then graduates with a diploma in a field where there are no jobs.
My budget proposes to focus more funds within our HOPE Grant Program toward occupations where we know jobs are available & shortages actually exist. Currently, there are several thousand jobs available for individuals with a commercial driver's license.
There are similar shortages in the areas of nursing and early childhood education. In order to fill these vacancies we suggest directing additional funds within our Technical College HOPE Grants.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 17, 2013
On Jobs:
Economists don't pay attention to unemployment rates
When pressed by [Democratic opponent Jason] Carter about the state's stubborn unemployment rates--pegged at 7.9 percent for September--the governor called it an "outlier" statistic. "Unemployment rates are only good for political advertising,"
Deal said. "Economists don't pay any attention to them."The bitter back-and-forth played out against months of campaign rhetoric focusing on education and the economy, the two dominant themes of this election.
Deal touts more than 300,000 jobs created on his watch and an education budget this year that includes more than $300 million in new K-12 money.
Carter said the state is drowning in wasted potential that he can unlock with a pledge to boost classroom funding.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Const. on 2014 Georgia Gubernatorial debate
Oct 19, 2014
On Jobs:
Full funding for technical education for jobs
We created a program, known as the HOPE Career Grant, which covers 100 percent of tuition for technical school students who enroll in one of Georgia's strategic industry, high-demand fields. 99.2% [of HOPE enrollees] find employment upon completion of
their training and studies. I was proud to add five new categories to that incredibly successful program. We now have 17 specific fields that allow our employers to answer "yes" when I ask them whether they can find qualified candidates for open jobs.
Source: 2018 Georgia State of the State address
Jan 11, 2018
On Local Issues:
$50 million bond package for the Port of Savannah
Another asset is the Port of Savannah, the fourth largest container port in the country and the second largest on the East Coast. As you know, we have worked for many years to expand the Savannah Harbor
and deepen the channel in order to allow the larger vessels that will soon be coming through the Panama Canal to dock in our state. We are very pleased that last fall we succeeded in getting a positive Record of Decision from the federal government.
This is a major milestone on this project.My budget includes an additional $50 million in the bond package for this project. This will bring our total state contribution to $231 million. That is almost the state's entire contemplated share of
the costs of this project; the remainder of the cost is to be paid by the federal government. While that is a sizable amount of money we expect the benefits to be $5.50 for every dollar spent--Not a bad return on investment!
Source: 2013 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 17, 2013
On Local Issues:
Ok to feature Confederate battle flag on some license tags
Gov. Nathan Deal said he takes no issue with the state providing a specialty license tag featuring the Confederate battle flag. When the newest version made national news last week, Deal seemed caught off guard by a question about it. "I don't think that
it is something that we should be that concerned about," Deal said. He pointed out that it is just one of many specialty tags Georgia has offered to various groups over the years.The Georgia tag bearing the Confederate battle flag has been offered to
the Sons of Confederate Veterans organization since 2003. The group issuing the latest version last week with a bolder design. They say it is simply a way to honor the memory of their ancestors. But some civil rights groups, including the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference, call it an offensive reminder of slavery and oppression.
Gov. Roy Barnes lost reelection bid in 2002, in part, because voters were mad at him for working to removing the Confederate battle flag from the state flag.
Source: First Coast News on 2014 Georgia gubernatorial race
Feb 27, 2014
On Principles & Values:
Place monument to Ten Commandments at State Capitol
Legislative Summary: A BILL to provide for placement of a monument depicting the Ten Commandments at the Capitol Building. Subject to the availability of funds, there shall be placed within the capitol building or grounds a historic
granite monument depicting:- The Preamble to the Georgia Constitution;
- The part of the Declaration of Independence which states that men 'are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights'
- and the Ten Commandments.
Gifts and donations from private individuals, organizations, or foundations shall be accepted. Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 40-10-3 on March 12, vote #619; passed House 138-37-5 on March 3, vote #663; signed by Gov. Deal April 29.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: HB 702
Apr 29, 2014
On Technology:
Make GA the Silicon Valley of the South via cyber security
In 2013, the U.S. Army announced that it would build a new cyber command headquarters alongside the National Security Agency facilities at Fort Gordon in Augusta. Less than two months ago, military officials broke ground on those future headquarters
that will cost $2 billion.Fort Gordon is already home to the Cyber Center of Excellence, a training facility for cyberspace operations. And soon, we will begin construction on the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center.
My proposed budget includes $50 million for this state-owned facility, designed to promote modernization in cybersecurity technology for both private and public industries. In conjunction with the Department of Defense and the NSA, this invaluable
resource will put Georgia at the pinnacle of efforts to enhance American cybersecurity in the public and private arenas with a resource unlike any other in the country. This will solidify Georgia's reputation as the Silicon Valley of the South.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Georgia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
On Welfare & Poverty:
Require drug testing for food stamp recipients
Legislative Summary: A BILL to require drug testing for applicants for food stamps; to provide requirements; to provide that any person who fails such drug test shall be ineligible to receive food stamps; to provide for reapplication;
to provide for children's food stamps; and to provide for confidentiality of records. The term 'established drug test' means the collection and testing of bodily fluids administered in a manner equivalent to that required by the
Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program. However, where possible and practicable, a swab test shall be used in lieu of a urinalysis. Drug tests may be conducted when any information obtained by the department that reasonable suspicion exists.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 21-32-3 on March 20, vote #729; passed House 100-67-13 on March 20, vote #729; signed by Gov. Deal April 29.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: HB 772
Apr 29, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023