State of the state addresses

Each year, governors in every U.S. state deliver a speech most commonly called the State of the State Address before both houses of the state legislature sitting in joint session. Known in Iowa as the Condition of the State Address, and as the State of the Commonwealth Address in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, this annual, or regular, report from the governor on the condition and outlook of a state is a constitutional directive in all 50 states.

Governor Robert Bentley’s (R) February 2, 2016, State of the State address focused mainly on his administrations efforts to “put Alabamians back to work” and the ambitious Great State 2019 Plan, which aims to correct Alabama’s status as the sixth poorest state.^[1] Bentley reported a 33 percent drop in the state’s unemployment rate since he assumed office in 2011. He credited the drop to “aggressive efforts to draw industry to Alabama,” mentioning Google’s plans to build a $600 million call center in Jackson County and a $127 million ATV factory that would create over 2,000 new jobs.

Bentley used the address to outline the measures of Alabama’s Great State 2019 Plan. The plan aims to increase access to healthcare, education, technology and jobs by 2019 for the state’s many rural areas. This would in turn significantly increase quality of life in the impoverished state. The plan includes provisions to:

• Double funding for the state’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program.
• Target 7th graders in poor counties and eventually pay tuition for a two-year college if the students graduate high school under certain criteria.
• Provide rural broadband access.
• Create 12 new residency programs across the state to increase the number of rural physicians.
• Close old, expensive-to-maintain prisons and break ground on four new facilities in 2016.

The Great State 2019 plan, Bentley assured Alabamians, would be funded mainly by bonds and state funds recuperated through eliminating inefficient processes and facilities.

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here

Governor Bill Walker (Ind.) spent the majority of his January 21, 2016 State of the State address addressing Alaska's fiscal crisis. The state currently faces a $4 billion deficit and a $5 billion budget. Walker called on lawmakers to approve budget cuts and new taxes, as well as spend money from Alaska's Permanent Fund.^[2] Alaska currently pays at least 25 percent of the state's oil revenue into the fund, which pays the state's bills. In addition, each state resident receives a monthly dividend check.^[3] Under Walker's proposal, entitled the "New Sustainable Alaska Plan, portions of those dividends paid would be redirected to the state government.

“None of the pieces of the plan are politically popular. I realize that,” Walker stated during the speech^[4] The Alaska Legislature could face a particularly difficult session in 2016 due to contentions over budget reforms.

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Doug Ducey (R) delivered 2016's State of the State address before a joint session of the Arizona State Legislature on January 11. Ducey used the speech to outline his plans for the year which include smaller government, tax cuts and increased spending for education. The state currently faces a $1 billion dollar deficit however Ducey, who assumed office in January 2015, assured citizens that Arizona is still "on the rise."^[5]

In the address, Ducey informed citizens that the Department of Economic Security would imminently begin posting photos and personal details of parents who owe delinquent child support on Twitter with the hashtag 'deadbeat.'^[6] He also vowed to increase access to drug addiction treatment programs, offer incentives for families to foster and adopt children, expand college prep funding and investigate backlogged rape kits across the state.^[5]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Jerry Brown (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 21. Brown outlined several major issues facing California, however he did not propose any new programs for the upcoming year. Instead, he said, he would "focus on how we pay for the commitments we have already made."^[7]

Brown stressed the need to address the state's ongoing budget deficits and repair the failing transportation infrastructure. He also promised to expand funding for California's health care programs. However, Brown's current health care and transportation proposals are being blocked by Republican opponents in the State Legislature.^[8] Brown was elected to the governor seat in 2010 but had also previously served in the office from 1975-1983.

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here

Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 21. In his speech, Hickenlooper touched upon the growing housing crisis and the budget deficit as well as the state's plans to cleanup abandoned mines after an August 2015 spill that polluted the Animas River with three million gallons of bright orange sludge. Though the Environmental Protection Agency took responsibility for the spill, Hickenlooper assured citizens his office is prioritizing a statewide cleanup effort.^[5]

In addition, Hickenlooper decried the party conflicts within the divided legislature and urged lawmakers to "be more bipartisan this session."^[6] The governor also pushed for lawmakers to approve a measure that would exempt the hospital provider fee program from revenue limits established in the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights.^[5] The move would free up extra revenue for spending, however opponents have criticized the measure as unconstitutional.^[9]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here

Governor Dannel Malloy (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to the Connecticut State Legislature on February 3. In his speech, Malloy detailed his budget proposal for the year as "based not on how much we want to spend, but how much money we actually have to spend."^[10] Malloy called for budget reform that would cut spending while prioritizing the sustainability of state services and restructuring the state's pension program^[11]

The state currently faces a $500 million deficit.^[10]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Jack Markell (D) delivered his final State of the State address as governor on January 21, 2016.^[12] Markell used the time to reflect on his successes since he assumed the office in 2009, highlighting the 13 percent job growth rate as well as the creation of 50,000 new jobs. He also called for increased funding for education and higher salaries for teachers, stating that "we confront the odd reality that Delaware employers are hiring, but can't find qualified applicants."^[13]

Markell also spoke of his desire for criminal justice and health care reform, especially increasing access to addiction and contraceptive services. He decried the rapidly rising costs of health care and stressed the need to ensure the sustainability of state health plans.^[14]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Rick Scott (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 12. During the speech, Scott focused mainly on job creation and his proposed budget for the year, which includes nearly $1 billion in tax cuts.^[15] The tax cuts would primarily benefit businesses, which Scott stated would prevent another economic downturn in the state.

Scott also called for the continuation of his administration's policies, which include of diversification and focusing on small business interests, and reported a steady decline in unemployment since he assumed office in 2011.^[16] "I am proud to report to you, that the State of Florida is in one word, "growing!" he told citizens.^[16]

Watch the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Nathan Deal (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 13 to a joint session of the Georgia State Legislature. In his speech, Deal spoke of his budget proposal for the year, which includes an extra $300 million earmarked for education reforms expected to result from the recommendations of a special commission formed in 2015. Deal promised teachers and state employees a three percent pay raise, to be funded by the allocation. He urged lawmakers to carefully consider the reforms and suggested they delay deliberation until the 2017 legislative session.^[17][18]

Deal also attributed many of the state's economic advances since he assumed office in 2010 to his administration. He noted that the state's depleted rainy day fund had been replenished to the tune of $1.43 million and the unemployment rate had dropped from ten to two percent due to tax cuts and loosened regulations for businesses.^[18][19]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor David Ige (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 25. Ige spoke of measures he plans to take in order to address the state's growing homelessness crisis which include multiple infrastructure improvements to make way for new low-cost housing developments. He also reported that the state, in partnership with the Aloha United Way, would spend five million dollars to provide immediate temporary housing solutions. He also proposed $25 million in transportation projects to give access to the planned housing units that would address the 66,000 unit shortfall.^[20]

Ige also promised $100 million in funding to install cooling equipment across the state's public schools using energy efficient technology and reiterated his plans to re-open the Kona International Airport to further boost the state's tourism industry.^[21]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Butch Otter (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 11, in which he reviewed his budget recommendations for the upcoming year. Otter recommended a $116m increase in education funding for K-12, four-year universities and community colleges. He also proposed to freeze tuition for college freshman so their education would not be interrupted by tuition increases.^[22]

Otter also spoke of his support for a $70 million bond that would fund a new mental health facility for the Idaho Department of Corrections as well as increased funding for the Department of Lands in light of the 2016 wildfire season.^[23]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Bruce Rauner (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Illinois State Legislature. Rauner spoke of criminal justice reform, term limits and education. He vowed to increase spending on early childhood education as well as funding for schools in impoverished districts by cutting administrative costs so as to not take away funding from more affluent districts.^[17][18]

Rayner also briefly touched on the state's ongoing budget crisis. Many state programs haven't received funding since July 1 when the stalemate between the Republican governor and the Democratic-majority legislature over Rauner's budget proposal began.^[24] Rayner warned lawmakers he would not support Democrats' plan for tax increases to address the budget crisis unless the legislature approves measures that would weaken unions in the state.^[17][18]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Gov. Mike Pence (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address on January 12, 2016. In the address, Pence declared his stance in the ongoing discussion on LGBT civil rights in the state, stating "I will not support any bill that diminishes [...] religious freedom."^[25] Senate Republicans are currently pushing through legislation that prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation but not on gender identity. The bill would also exempt religious institutions from complying.^[25]

Pence also spoke of his $1 billion, four-year budget plan that includes a $241 million earmarked for immediate roadway repairs; several different funding measures for badly needed infrastructure repairs have been proposed to date.^[26]

Pence ran for re-election to his fourth term in 2016.

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Terry Branstad (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Iowa State Legislature on January 12, 2016. Branstad released his budget proposal on the same day and spent much of the address outlining his strategies for balancing the state's budget.^[27]

Branstad told Iowans that although employment is strong, state revenue is down due to a flagging agricultural economy, which forced budget cuts.^[27][28] Though the budget proposes an extra $143 million for public schools, it would also divert sales tax revenue earmarked for school infrastructure repairs toward clean water projects. Branstad also declared his support for workforce development programs and the ongoing private management of Iowa Medicaid.^[27][28]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Sam Brownback (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Kansas State Legislature on January 12, 2016. Brownback spent much of the address criticizing the Obama administration on its national security policies and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).^[29] The governor declared he would not accept federal funding under the ACA to expand the state's Medicaid program. Brownback also stated he would work to block funding of Planned Parenthood through the Medicaid program, stating that "Planned Parenthood's trafficking of body parts is antithetical to our belief in human dignity."^[30] Instead, he urged the legislature to find a "Kansas solution," and announced the creation of a rural healthcare task force led by Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer (R).^[30]

Brownback also announced his support for caps on local property taxes and merit pay for teachers. Brownback did not speak of the state's projected $190 million deficit.^[29]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Matt Bevin (R) delivered his first 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Kentucky State Legislature on January 26, 2016. Bevin assumed office in January 2016 after winning the 2015 gubernatorial election. Bevin used the address to present his two-year budget plan which includes increased funding to the state's pension enabled by layoffs and a 9 percent funding cut for state agencies. The pension fund is facing $30 billion in unfunded liabilities. "We cannot move forward unless we address the crippling debt that faces this state," the governor said.^[31]

The nine percent cut would apply to public schools and the state's Medicaid program, but exempt state police, prisons, Veteran Affairs, and many other state programs.^[32] Bevin also proposed a $100 million bond for workforce development programs and salary increases for local police officers and announced that the state would cease diversion of lottery proceeds away from education funding.^[31][32]

Watch the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor John Bel Edwards (D) delivered his first State of the State address to a joint session of the Louisiana State Legislature on March 14, 2016. Edwards assumed office on January 11 after winning the 2015 gubernatorial election, ending a five-year Republican trifecta. The governor expressed frustration with partisan deadlock in the legislature over budget proposals; the state is currently facing an $800 million deficit.^[33]

Edwards declared support for raising the minimum wage, equal pay for women, and increased funding for infrastructure development, including passenger trains.^[33][34] He also announced the expansion of the state's Medicaid program using federal funds allocated under the Affordable Care Act, a proposal that has met opposition from the Republican-led legislature.^[33]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Paul LePage (R) announced in January 2016 that he would not deliver the year's State of the State address. Instead, LePage sent a letter to the Maine State Legislature on February 8, decrying what he termed "efforts by Maine socialists to turn our state into Greece, Cuba, Venezuela or the former Soviet Union."^[35]

LePage has been a divisive figure in Maine state politics since he assumed office in January 2011. He was engaged in a long-standing dispute with Democrats in the state legislature over their refusal to end the state income tax; between his inauguration and December 2015, LePage vetoed 359 Democratically-sponsored bills. Though the Democrat-controlled House threatened impeachment proceedings against LePage in 2015, efforts were indefinitely postponed after a January 2016 split vote.

In his letter to state legislators, LePage called again for the elimination of a state income tax and cuts for social welfare programs.^[36]

Read full text of LePage's letter to state legislators here.

Governor Larry Hogan (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Maryland State Legislature on February 3, 2016. Hogan's speech came after a year of tumult which included riots in Baltimore and a massive winter storm. Hogan praised his rivals and urged bipartisanship after a year spent clashing with the Democrat-led legislature. The governor also urged continued fiscal responsibility, mentioning fee reductions and tax cuts enacted in 2015. Maryland entered the 2016 legislative session with a $450 million budget surplus.^[37]

Hogan announced new plans for Baltimore's mass transit system as well as a new jobs initiative that would reduce taxes as incentive for businesses to relocate to the state.^[38] He cited his administration's successes since he assumed office in January 2015, including the creation of 55,000 new jobs, record-high spending on education and increased funding for environmental preservation.^[37][38]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Charlie Baker (R) delivered the 2016 State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the state legislature on January 21, 2016. In his speech, Baker promised more of the focus on small government that has been the hallmark of his administration; Baker assumed office in January 2015.

Baker promised $75 million for vocational schools and praised the lack of partisan in-fighting in the state. He also urged the legislature to consider issues such as the opioid addiction crisis in the state and investing in hydroelectric power. “As the administration ends its first year in office, some have lamented how boring we are. I’ll admit: that makes me smile,’’ Baker stated in the address.^[39][40]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Rick Snyder (R) gave the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the State Legislature on January 19, 2016. The governor spent the majority of the speech discussing the crisis in Flint, which was declared to be in a state of emergency after high levels of harmful chemicals were found in drinking water from the Flint River in 2015. Snyder asked the legislature to approve $28.5 million in emergency funding for the city as well as other aid measures. "I am sorry; we will fix this," Snyder told residents of the state.^[41]

Snyder also touched on Michigan's public education crisis, stressing the need for greater funding and announcing a new commission on education; he also announced the creation of another commission on assessing the state's infrastructure upgrade needs.^[42]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Mark Dayton (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Minnesota State Legislature on March 13, 2016. First elected in 2010, the speech was his sixth such address. In the speech, Dayton touched on topics such as the need for transportation funding, as well as to protect environmental quality and clean drinking water. The governor called for modest tax cuts and alluded to the $300 million renovation currently underway at the Capitol building.^[43]

Dayton also touched on the large economic disparities in the state among people of different races, denouncing a recent spate of race-related crime. He promised a "significant initiative" in his forthcoming budget to resolve such disparities and efforts to double the percentage of minorities employed within the state government.^[44][43]

Watch the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Phil Bryant (R), first elected in 2011, delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Mississippi State Legislature, as well as the State Supreme Court on January 26, 2016. In the speech, Bryant discussed his agenda for the 2016 legislative session, which included pushing for improvements in transportation infrastructure, tax amendments, and workforce development programs. The governor addressed the state's suffering foster care system, calling for Family and Children's services to become its own agency with funds diverted from the Department of Human Services to help defray costs.^[45]

Bryant also encouraged access to charter schools and elections for superintendents of all school boards in the states, and called for more funding for early education and teacher certification programs.^[46]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Jay Nixon (D) gave the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Missouri State Legislature on January 20, 2016. First elected in 2008, the address was Nixon's last as he is prevented by term limits from running for re-election in 2016. In his speech, the governor outlined his budget proposal for the year, which included $150 million increase in education spending and a pay raise for state employees. He also called for ethics reform legislation and an increase in the state's fuel tax that would fund infrastructure improvements.^[47]

Nixon also spoke of his plans to begin regulating the fantasy sports gaming industry, calling it "gambling" and pointing out that regulations would generate millions in revenue for the state.^[48][47]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Pete Ricketts (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Nebraska State Legislature on January 14, 2016. In his speech, the governor touched on a broad range of topics, including making a friendly overture towards the state's senators, with whom Ricketts had often conflicted since assuming office in 2015. Ricketts pointed to successes from the previous year, including a three percent cut in state spending, which in turn bolstered the coffers of the state's Property Tax Credit Relief Fund.^[49]

Ricketts also outlined plans for further property tax relief, increased corrections funding, transition programs and work release programs for former prison inmates, and the creation of a transportation infrastructure bank to speed up highway construction projects. The governor stated that the transportation project would help further develop agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism business, which he cited as the state's most important industries.^[50][49]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Maggie Hassan (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the New Hampshire State Legislature on February 4, 2016. Hassan, who declined to seek re-election in 2016 in favor of a bid for a U.S. Senate seat, spent much of the speech discussing the state's opioid addiction epidemic. Hassan called the crisis "the most pressing public health and public safety issue" in the state, and called upon the legislature to reauthorize New Hampshire's Medicaid expansion plan to help fund efforts to expand treatment options.^[51]

The governor also praised bipartisanship within the legislature and spoke of a new program to help families on welfare enter the workforce. She also stated support for an increase in the state's minimum wage and urged legislators to make higher education more affordable.^[52]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Chris Christie (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the New Jersey State Legislature on January 12, 2016. Christie had declared his candidacy for the presidency the previous June, and the speech came on the heels of the governor's frequent absences from New Jersey for campaigning purposes. Christie announced $100 million in funding earmarked for mental health and drug treatment programs and reflected on the expansion of the state's charter schools since he assumed office in 2010.

The governor also criticized Democratic legislators for a recent legislatively referred constitutional amendment that would guarantee funding to the state's flagging pensions fund. Christie asserted that the measure would require either drastic cuts to state spending in other areas or tax increases in order to fund.^[53][54][55]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Susana Martinez (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the New Mexico State Legislature on January 19, 2016. Martinez focused much of her speech on public safety topics such as funding to address backlogged rape kits, harsher punishments for parole violators and repeat DWI offenders, stricter laws for violent offenders, and increasing the number of state police officers. The governor also mentioned recent successes in behavioral health treatment services and promised funding for facilities, touting the measure as "working to prevent people from becoming criminals."^[56]

Martinez also urged lawmakers to approve legislation that would grant drivers licenses undocumented immigrants, and announced plans to increase funding for early childhood education programs as well as introduce reforms that would enable students in higher education to graduate more quickly.^[57][58]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the New York State Legislature on January 13, 2016. In the speech, Cuomo laid out plans for his lengthy 2016-2017 budget proposal, which included a hike in the state's minimum wake, tax credits for small businesses and those with children in private schools, $1 billion in funds earmarked for public schools, and the creation of a $5 billion Clean Energy Fund. The governor also unveiled plans to combat homelessness, such as $10 billion in affordable housing units, another $10 billion in homeless shelters, and an audit of existing homeless shelters.

The governor also proposed ethics reform measures such as salary caps and the loss of pension funds for legislators convicted of crimes. Additionally, Cuomo's budget called on New York City to increase contributions to funding for Medicaid programs and for City University New York. The budget also includes nearly $50 billion in transportation infrastructure improvements. The speech was interrupted at one point by shouts from state Rep. Charles Barron (D), who disagreed with some of Cuomo's proposals.^[59][60][61]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor John Kasich (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Ohio State Legislature on April 6, 2016. At the time a GOP presidential candidate, Kasich returned to the state to give the speech, in which he promised tax reform, measures to combat the drug epidemic, and expansion of STEM education. The governor also pointed to the success of education programs such as Third Grade Reading Guarantee, and credited the OhioMeansJobs website for expanding access to job opportunities for Ohioans. "Our budget is sound, we've got $2 billion in the bank," the governor said.^[62]

Katich also expressed support for congressional redistricting reforms, lower income taxes, and tuition cuts in higher education. He also spoke of recent initiative to set universal standards for the use of force among law enforcement agencies across the state.^[63][64][65]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Mary Fallin (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Oklahoma State Legislature on February 1, 2016. Fallin spoke of the state's $900 million budget deficit and suffering oil and gas economy. She proposed a six percent cut to state agencies and a consumption tax on cigarettes. She also mentioned other tax reform measures such as eliminating tax exemptions and modernizing the sales tax code.

Fallin named education as her top priority, calling for a $3,000 pay raise for all Oklahoma teachers. She expressed support for lowering mandatory drug sentences, saying that the state's current laws "haven't deterred substance abuse and have filled [the] prisons to overcapacity."^[66] Fallin also called for other measures to reduce prison overcrowding and a budget increase for the Department of Corrections.^[67]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Tom Wolf (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Pennsylvania State Legislature on February 9, 2016. In the speech, Wolf set forth the second budget proposal of his tenure; last year's proposal had yet to be passed by the legislature at the time of the address. "Usually this speech is an opportunity to lay out an ambitious agenda for the year ahead. But I can't give that speech, Not under these circumstances," Wolf said.^[68] The governor again called for tax increases to combat the state's flagging revenue and to finance spending in social and public services. The 2016-2017 budget called for a $32.7 increase in spending on state programs, which would be in addition to the spending increases proposed in the 2015-2016 budget.

Wolf harshly criticized House Republicans for the budget gridlock, warning of the $2 billion-and-growing deficit and telling them to "find another job" if they would not agree to his budget reforms.^[69] "If it [the deficit] explodes—if the people in this chamber allow it to explode—then Pennsylvania will experience a fiscal catastrophe the likes of which we have never seen," he stated.^{[69][70][68][69]}

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Gina Raimondo (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before the Rhode Island House of Representatives on February 2, 2016. In the speech, Raimondo introduced her $9 billion dollar budget proposal for the year, which aims to drive economic growth and job creation. The budget includes expansion of tax credits for research and development businesses, tax increases for medical marijuana and cigarettes, and a hike in the minimum wage. It also earmarks an additional $33 million in funding for schools.

Raimondo also spoke of the state's opioid addiction epidemic, calling on lawmakers to fund addiction treatment programs. She also called upon the legislature to approve funding for infrastructure improvement: "Rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges is essential to attracting jobs. First class jobs go to where there is first class infrastructure," the governor said.^[71][72][73]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Nikki Haley (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the North Carolina State Legislature on January 20, 2016. Haley gave an emotional speech, during which she choked up when speaking of last year's mass shooting at a church in Charleston with a predominantly black congregation. The governor also prodded at legislators over their failure to pass her requested ethics reforms and asked every senator in favor of "income disclosure to please stand."^[74]

Haley also proposed $15 million in tuition scholarships for higher education, borrow $200 million a year to fund state schools, and $11 million to hire more prosecutors. "The state of our state is bent but not broken," the governor said.^[74][75]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the South Dakota State Legislature on January 12, 2016. In his speech, the governor proposed a half-cent increase in the state sales tax to fund an average $8,500 pay raise for teachers. Daugaard asserted that if the state did not provide attractive salaries, it would not attract quality teachers. He also announced plans to reduce the teacher-to-student ratio in classrooms.

Another topics of note was a request for Medicaid expansion through Indian Health Services providers, which was awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Helath and Human Services. Naugaard also mentioned raising the retirement age for state employees, job creation, and praise for the state's measures to prevent crime.^[76][77]

Tennessee Bill Haslam (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Tennessee State Legislature on February 1, 2016. In the speech, Haslam touted the state's successes during his administration, including an improved economy, lower taxes, and an initiative to see 55 percent of Tennesseans with a college degree by 2025, which he stated "would mean $9 billion in addition income for Tennesseans."^[78]

Haslam also announced $261 million in additional funding for schools, which would include pay raises for teachers. The budget also proposed that $100 million go into the state's rainy day fund and $581.6 million go toward construction at state facilities. Additionally, $130 million was earmarked for transportation infrastructure repairs.^[79][80][78]

Watch the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Gary Herbert (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Utah State Legislature on January 27, 2016. Herbert, who ran for re-election in 2016, stated that "education is the most important investment we can make for Utah's future."^[81] Herbert praised the $1.3 billion increase in public education funding over the past four years and ten percent rise in high school graduation rates. The governor also criticized the federal government for overreaching, denouncing the Affordable Care Act.

"The state of our state is strong, and I think most of us would say the state of our state is outstanding!" Herbert said. "That being said, I believe that we can do better." He asked legislators to focus on economic improvements in rural areas, air quality improvement, and better access to healthcare.^[82][83][81]

'Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Peter Shumlin (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Vermont State Legislature on January 7, 2016. The address was his final as he did not seek re-election in 2016. In the speech, Shumlin pointed to the successes of his administration, including efforts to expand opiate addiction treatment services. He also expressed support for paid sick leave and divestment in oil and coal, and called on law makers to remove spending caps on education.

Additionally, the governor announced his plan to legalize marijuana through the legislature, which would make Vermont the first state to enact the policy change through legislation rather than a ballot measure. Shumlin asserted that legalization would bring tax revenue to the state and put black-market dealers out of business. He also proposed a ban on the sale of edibles, harsher DUI laws, and measure to prevent adolescents from purchasing marijuana.^[84][85]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) delivered the 2016 State of the Commonwealth address before a joint session of the Virginia State Legislature on January 13, 2016. In his speech, McAuliffe called for bipartisan cooperation within the Republican-led legislature in order to "expand economic opportunities for everyone in the Commonwealth."^[86] The governor also promised to veto any legislation that restricts abortion or same-sex marriage, or measures that conflict with his gun control agenda.

McAuliffe also touted the state's recent success in international trade and low unemployment rate. Additionally, he expressed support for limiting standardized testing in schools and the expansion of the state's Medicaid system under the Affordable Care Act.^[87][88][86]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Jay Inslee (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Washington State Legislature on January 12, 2016. In the speech, Inslee called for a $4 increase in the minimum wage and a ten percent raise in starting pay for new teachers in an effort to attract more teachers to the state. "We have a serious statewide teacher shortage," he said.^[89] The governor proposed to pay for the increase by eliminating certain tax exemptions and urged legislators to pass a new education budget as mandated by a State Supreme Court decision three years prior.

Inslee also announced that he had asked the state investment board to use its influence to reduce the pay gap between CEOs and other employees, as well as measures to cap carbon emissions. Additionally, he announced $180 million in emergency funds for wildfires and plans for four new mental health facilities.^[90][91][89]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (D) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the West Virginia State Legislature on January 13, 2016. The address was his final as he was prevented from running for re-election in 2016 due to term limits. In the speech, Tomblin spoke of measures to address the impoverished coal worker community in the state. He announced plans to ask the federal government for $140 million in aid as well as the development of a former surface mine into a large industrial complex. The decline in the coal economy also affected West Virginia's tax revenue; the state's budget deficit in 2016 was $381 million.

Tomblin also proposed a 55 cent increase in the tobacco tax with a corresponding tax increase on e-cigarettes, and a six percent tax on phone usage. The governor stated that he hoped to use the new revenue streams to fully fund the Public Employees Insurance Agency, which faced a large deficit. He also touched on addiction treatment services and the need to build infrastructure for the state's natural gas resources.^[92][93]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Scott Walker (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address to a joint session of the Wisconsin State Legislature on January 19, 2016. Walker spent much of the speech pointing to Wisconsin's successes during his tenure, including a lower unemployment rate, lower property taxes, increased mental health services funding, and high average ACT scores. He also spoke of the possibility for three-year degree plans in high schools and colleges and a $3 million investment in dual enrollment programs.

The governor also proposed reforms to state employees' health insurance plans, the savings from which would go toward public education. Additionally, Walker announced a plan to host listening sessions across the state. "As we think about the next 20 years, I want to hear from you about your hopes and dreams," the governor said.^[94][95][96]

Read full text of the 2016 State of the State address here.

Governor Matt Mead (R) delivered the 2016 State of the State address before a joint session of the Wyoming State Legislature on February 8, 2016. During the speech, the governor proposed measures to address the $465 million budget deficit that would not take excessive funding from public services. Among the measures was a $450 million loan from the state's rainy day fund, which he planned to pay back by diverting tax revenues. The governor also spoke out against recommendations made by the Joint Appropriation Committee, calling their cuts too severe.

Mead also asked for $123 million in funding for local governments across the state. He also urged for Medicaid expansion under the federal Affordable Care Act, warning that rising healthcare costs would force some hospitals to close due to losses from uncompensated care.^[97][98]

Watch the 2016 State of the State address here.

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• Governing, "Governors' Speeches Reflect States' Cautious Mood," February 2012