Governor Brewer Challenges Opponents to Face Truth: “Time for a little less profile and a little more courage.”
PHOENIX –– In her State of the State speech yesterday, Governor Jan Brewer laid out a path to Arizona’s recovery through additional budget cuts, revenue, and limiting Arizona’s future growth of Government. The Governor also pointed west to California and east to Washington D.C. as pitfalls that the state must avoid while fixing its budget shortfalls and attracting new jobs.
As required, the Governor will publish her comprehensive budget plan on Friday. To her opponents who face no such requirement, the Governor challenged,
“Spare us the profiles in courage; it’s time for a little less profile and a little more courage. Tell us clearly how you would solve a $5 billion problem over the next 17 months. The suggestion box is wide open.”
The Governor’s speech focused on telling the truth and encouraging her colleagues to face the difficult challenges that lie ahead. It also focused on job creation, education, and government reform.
About Governor Brewer’s State of the State Speech:
On the Budget:-Solutions to state budget will require even greater substantial cuts in spending – Governor Brewer has already presided over the largest cuts in state history.-We must ensure a revenue base that supports the vital functions of state government – simply rolling back to 2004 levels does not work because of rapid population growth. -Government should not be allowed to grow out of control as it did the five years prior to Brewer taking office. Brewer proposed limitations on the future growth of government and more “rainy day” savings.
On the Federal Government:-The largest external threat to Arizona’s budget comes from the Federal Government.-The existing Federal mandates on healthcare already cost the State of Arizona more than $2 billion a year.-Obama’s Healthcare bill would cost Arizona an additional $500 million dollars every year in addition to our current budget shortfall.-Just as Goddard failed to defend Arizona in the Flores case at the U.S. Supreme Court, if he fails to defend Arizona’s state’s rights against Obama’s healthcare bill, Brewer will join the effort.
On Jobs:-We must advance our competitive position on Solar in the national and global economy. The renewable energy tax incentive program signed in June is already reaping benefits, attracting a company to invest more than $50 million, and create nearly 200 quality jobs.-Announcing the formation of a Governor's Jobs Cabinet that will cut through the red tape and -- the green tape -- to speed job creation.-Devoting $10 million in one-time federal stimulus funds for job training-The Governor's Commerce Advisory Council will transform the Department of Commerce into an engine for job creation. -Ensuring Arizona is named a training site for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
On Education:-Continue work on a new higher-education model that promotes greater access, quality and affordability-Open doors to all qualified and skilled citizens who want to teach our children-Continue Arizona as a national leader in school choice-Arm parents with the information they need to help monitor their children's academic progress-Replace our school labeling system with letter grades-Stop promoting children who cannot read by the end of third grade, identify those students who are falling behind and get them the help they need.
On Government Reform:-Establish Commission on Privatization and Efficiency (COPE) to will identify state services and agencies whose functions can be eliminated, consolidated, streamlined or outsourced to achieve greater operational efficiency-Voters must be asked to re-consider the Prop 204 expansion of our existing Medicaid program, AHCCCS.-require a photograph on every adult enrollee's card so only the right person is getting the treatment-Establishing Arizona Serves will connect faith-based and non-profit organizations to help meet those needs.-Reforms to deter illegal immigration.
You can read the complete version of the speech at:http://www.azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/SOTS_011110_SOTS2010.pdf
Paid for by Governor Jan Brewer 2010
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