Governor Delivers State of the State Address

PHOENIX - Emphasizing the need to continue "Moving Arizona Forward," Gov. Janet Napolitano today delivered her third State of the State speech before lawmakers, dignitaries and guests at the State House of Representatives today. Napolitano talked about the successful programs and initiatives her office has spearheaded, including the CoppeRxCard program that provides discounts for seniors and working with the legislature to fund the first year of voluntary Full Day Kindergarten.

The Governor's address focused on her administration's priorities, including introducing a budget plan that balances the state's budget without raising taxes; provides tax relief for small businesses and companies that manufacture goods in Arizona and exports them; and incentives for firms that partner with the state universities.

In addressing education, the Governor stressed the need to fund the second of a five-year phase-in of Voluntary Full Day Kindergarten, as well as: the importance of helping high school students to pass the AIMS test; her program to continue working with the private sector to distribute books to children in the 1st and 4th grades; and better access to college for Arizona's high school graduates.

Additionally, the Governor addressed the need for long-term planning for water availability, and called for full funding of the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Putting theory into practice, Napolitano also talked about her office's plans to continue the Efficiency Review program, which assesses processes within state government and makes recommendations to cut waste and spending by streamlining the way the administration does business.

Napolitano also focused on her plans to continue putting homeland security concerns at the forefront, and called on the federal government to not only provide more funding for homeland security, but to provide more money to the state to deal with illegal immigration and other federal problems that Washington continues to underfund. Additionally, the Governor talked about the importance of Arizona's military bases, state trust land reform, and working with the university system to create a medical school campus in Arizona. A copy of the speech and the one page issue sheet is attached. (Three total documents).

Governor Napolitano's State of the State speech

Issue Sheet