Search
Displaying search results
-
Tennessee State of the State: Haslam Calls for Continued Fiscal Prudence in Volunteer State
In his eighth and final State of the State address, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam counseled lawmakers to continue their efforts to lead the nation on job growth, economic opportunity,…
-
Delaware State of the State: Governor Admits Budget Deficit “A Simple Math Problem” But Proposes More Spending
To his great credit, Governor John Carney admitted in his 2018 State of the State Address, that the state’s substantial future structural budget deficits are “a simple math problem.
-
Colorado State of the State: Hickenlooper’s Pursuit of Taxes
The governor is right that “by almost any measure, we’ve become one of the best places for business in America.” But expanding crony capitalism and increasing the tax burden make maintaining this coveted status more difficult. Following five consecutive years in the top 10 for economic outlook in Rich States, Poor States, Colorado dropped to 16th in 2013 and has failed to fully recover. A sharpened focus on regulatory reform and pension reform are required to guarantee continued success in the Centennial State.
-
Kansas State of the State: Gov. Brownback Resists Tax Hikes, Calls for Constitutional Amendment on Ed Financing
The governor’s rejection of a tax increase is welcomed news for taxpayers. Just last year, legislators overrode his veto in order to enact an enormous tax increase of $1.2 billion over the next two years alone. This tax hike on individuals and businesses wiped out much of the tax reductions from the 2012 reforms. Avoiding a new tax increase, pushing for a voter-approved constitutional amendment on school financing, and demanding educational reforms will help avoid compounding the damage from last year’s tax hikes.
-
Maine State of the State: Governor Embraces Bold Tax Reforms for Final Year
Maine Governor Paul LePage delivered his final state of the state address. He did not attempt to shape his legacy by claiming credit for victories and shifting blame for losses—a…
-
Oregon State of the State: Governor Brown Demands Spending on Pet Projects, Neglects Needed Reforms
In her recent State of the State Address, Governor Kate Brown kicked off Oregon’s short 35-day legislative session with a litany of policy proposals, all in her…
-
Arizona State of the State: Confidence and Conviction, Promise and Possibility
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey delivered a sunny State of the State address, highlighting the “capacity of our state, and its people, to always be ahead of the…
-
California State of the State: A High Speed Train of Taxes and Spending
California Governor Jerry Brown boldly championed an unabashedly liberal agenda throughout his 16th—and final—State of the State address. The governor declared, “California is prospering,” a stark turnaround from the economic…
-
Michigan State of the State: A Comeback Story
Fortune is changing in the state of Michigan following decades of extreme economic adversity, from the rapid downturn in the auto industry to the downward population spiral in Detroit. Governor…
-
Kentucky State of the State: Governor Bevin Commits to Tax and Pension Reform
Kentucky had an eventful legislative session last year after the state house switched party control for the first time since 1921, resulting in a Republican trifecta. During…
-
Missouri State of the State: Government Should “Do Fewer Things and Do Them Better.”
The Show-Me State’s 2018 legislative session is off to an exciting start, as Eric Greitens begins his second year as Missouri governor. His inaugural session in office focused heavily on…
-
Nebraska State of the State: Tax Reform on the Horizon
Last year, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (R.) received the American Legislative Exchange Council annual “Best of the Best” award for his bold, pro-growth oriented State of the…
-
South Dakota State of the State: Mixed Agenda of Pro-Growth Regulatory Reform but Possible Tax Hikes
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard’s 2018 State of the State focused on workforce development, public education, occupational licensing reform, a possible transportation tax increase and support for overturning legal precedent…
-
Idaho State of the State: Governor Otter Celebrates Economic Strength, Advocates for Modest Tax Cuts in Final Year
In his twelfth and final state of the state address, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter celebrated Idaho’s continued strengths. “Our State government is leaner, more fiscally responsible, more transparent, more responsive,…
-
West Virginia State of the State: Governor Justice Changes His Tune on Tax Hikes
In his 2018 State of the State Address, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R.) lamented last year’s failed push for higher taxes, saying “It was really unfair…
-
Indiana State of the State Address
The Hoosier State has implemented commendable changes regarding tax and fiscal policy in the past several years, with strong leaders at the helm including Governor Eric Holcomb, and former Governors…
-
Florida State of the State: Governor Scott Calls for Supermajority Requirement for Tax Hikes
In an emotional final State of the State address January 9, Florida Governor Rick Scott began by thanking the people of Florida for the opportunity granted him…
-
Alabama’s State of the State Address
Nine months into her unexpected tenure, Governor Kay Ivey delivered her first State of the State address on January 9. Gov. Ivey said her goal at the…
-
Vermont’s State of the State Address Highlights Difficult Hike Ahead
Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R.) exemplified non-partisan, economic realism during his state of the state address. Over the past decade, the state of Vermont has faced extreme economic difficulties, many…
-
State of the States 2017
In 2017, 50 governors across America delivered State of the State or other policy addresses. These speeches included numerous economic policy proposals that will affect the states’ economic competitiveness. This…