Sarah Palin in 2008 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Crime:
We are tough on crime and beefing up law enforcement
In Public Safety and Corrections, after years of positions left vacant, we’ve doubled academy recruits. We’re building public trust by demanding the highest standards of those in public safety. We’re implementing realistic plans to deal with overcrowded
prisons, including rehabilitation and work requirements for the 95 percent of inmates who will re-enter society instead of just “warehousing” them. In Law, we are getting tough on criminals with tougher, defensible sentences.
It was a clean sweep for convictions in the Cold Case Unit. Our Civil Division is managing hundreds of legal battles to protect Alaskans’ interests. I commend Law for last year’s needed, comprehensive ethics bill. In Military and
Veterans Affairs, we certified hundreds of territorial guardsmen, so those who served finally receive their benefits. We are proudly supporting our brave Alaska Guard as they provide daily search and rescue in our State, and support the War on Terror.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Education:
School debate should focus on accountability
In education, we are shaping a three-year funding plan to finally shift the school debate from perpetual “money talk” to accountability and achievement!
We are focusing on foundational skills needed in the “real-world” workplace and in college.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Education:
Committed to providing strong education, including morals
It is our energy development that pays for essential services, like education. Victor Hugo said, “He who opens a school door, closes a prison.” It’s a privileged obligation we have to “open education doors.”
Every child, of every ability, is to be cherished and loved and taught. Every child provides this world hope. They are the most beautiful ingredient in our sometimes muddied up world. I am committed to our children and their education.
Stepping through “the door” is about more than passing a standardized test. We need kids prepared to pass life’s tests--like getting a job and valuing a strong work ethic. Our Three-year Education
Plan invests more than a billion dollars each year. We must forward-fund education, letting schools plan ahead. We must stop pink-slipping teachers, and then struggle to recruit and retain them the next year.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Education:
Budget funds education, but will to work is also critical
We’re asking lawmakers to pass a new K-12 funding plan this year. This is an investment that is needed to increase the base student allocation, district cost factors and intensive needs students. It includes $100 million in school construction and
deferred maintenance. There is awesome potential to improve education and embrace choice for parents. This potential will prime Alaska to compete in a global economy. Beyond high school, we will boost job training and University options.
We are proposing more than $10 million in new funding for apprenticeship programs, expansion of construction, engineering and health care degrees. But it must be about more than funds, it must be a change in philosophy.
It is time to shift focus, from just dollars to “caliyulriit,” which is Yupik for “people who want to work.” Work for pride in supporting our families. It’s about results and getting kids excited about their future--whether it is college, trade school or
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Energy & Oil:
$250M for proven alternative energy, including wind & hydro
We need a comprehensive approach to long-term energy plans, not just fiscal “shots-in-the-arm.” I’m appointing an Energy Coordinator, to activate a statewide Energy Plan. We’ll use earnings from a $250 million “Renewable Energy Fund” for alternative
projects, like hydro, wind, geothermal, and biomass. These projects cannot even flirt with snake-oil science--they will be real, doable, and economic. Alaska’s plan can lead America toward energy security and a cleaner, safer world.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Energy & Oil:
Gas pipelines are approved if they meet Alaska’s needs
An example of our self-determination is our natural gas pipeline vehicle: AGIA. AGIA’s competitive process is built on Alaska’s “must-haves.” Finally we will have an “open access” gasline so new explorers can produce new reserves, providing in-state use
of our gas and careers for Alaskans. Without AGIA’s requirements, we’d be leveraged by a small group of companies. We can’t surrender revenue, judicial process and our sovereignty. A respected pipeline construction company,
TransCanada, submitted a proposal that meets all of Alaska’s requirements. AGIA cleared the path for our gas to feed hungry local markets and to help secure the country with a safe, stable, and domestic supply of clean energy.
An AGIA license gets the ball rolling on our terms--and opens the door to innovative and strategic partnerships. We are reasonable and open to those partnerships that, at the end of the day, will get that long-awaited gas line built.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Environment:
We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing
Industry knows we want responsible development. Anadarko will drill Alaska’s first-ever gas-targeted wells on the North Slope. Chevron, FEX, Renaissance--many others are exploring. That’s ratification of
AGIA’s promise to make investments profitable for industrious explorers. There’s more we can do to ramp up development. Our new reservoir study can increase development and we will ensure better, publicly supported project coordination.
To cultivate timber and agriculture, we’re encouraging responsible, economic efforts to revitalize our once-robust industries.
We can and must continue to develop our economy, because we cannot and must not rely so heavily on federal government earmarks.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Health Care:
Take personal responsibility for personal health & all areas
Together, let’s provide the services that our Constitution requires, constitutional services such as education, public safety, and a solid infrastructure--and let’s do them right. Let’s commit to take responsibility for good stewardship when we’re
developing our natural resources. Let’s remember that Alaskans are capable and created to work. So when government provides education and job training, every able-bodied Alaskan is expected to work and not simply rely on government to provide.
Let’s take personal responsibility in all areas of life--including health. What we consume and engage in impacts not just our personal health, but our communities too.Let’s reign in government growth so individual liberty and opportunity can expand.
And let’s expect that every region contributes to our economy, to fulfill our promise to be a self-sufficient state made up of the hardest working, most grateful Americans in our nation.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Health Care:
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies
I established our Health Care Strategies Council and we’ll pursue many of their recommendations, starting with our Health Care Transparency Act, requiring that consumers get better information about prices and quality of their own care.
We will allow competition. Under our present Certificate of Need (CON) process, costs and needs don’t drive health care choices--bureaucracy does! Our system is broken and expensive. We propose, as many states have, eliminating the
CON, to increase choice and to manage rising costs. Currently nine CON lawsuits are adversely affecting consumers. Alaskans want health care in the hands of doctors, not lobbyists and lawyers.
We are considering what other fiscally conservative states have done to incentivize employers to provide medical insurance for employees, based on the free market.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Health Care:
Personal responsibility & choices key to good health
Our choices often lead to heart disease, diabetes, underage drinking, drugs, violence, and abuse. Soaring health and public safety costs are sometimes unfairly passed on to others.
But more importantly, by ignoring or accepting selfish choices that cause the abuse, children, families and entire communities are destroyed. Government cannot cure all ills.
And don’t assume more laws foisted on Alaskans are the only answer--most “bad activity” is already illegal. We have got to make wise, healthy personal choices, including choosing not to ignore child abuse.
I’m counting on families, communities and faith-based groups to step up, together, to help passionately here, too.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Homeland Security:
Armed forces, including my son, give us security and freedom
Let us pay tribute to all our men and women in uniform, and their families, and those who’ve previously served our great nation. Their fight for freedom allows us to assemble tonight--with liberty and security!
Because of their sacrifices we are free to do our jobs here. And we thank them. Todd and our son Track who is proudly serving in the U.S. Army, thank you [all] for your service.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Principles & Values:
Leadership is a responsibility to prepare for tomorrow
We are on the same team, if we have got the same goal. With so much opportunity in Alaska, let’s look at challenges like we do in our own families: save money, spend wisely, and we will secure our tomorrow. Invest in solid foundations like education and
deferred maintenance. Pull together, not tear down. Be positive. Respect our treasured past, but look forward now. These are leadership characteristics expected by those who elect us to lead, to serve, to work for Alaskans. What a responsibility we have!
To look beyond partisan and geographic differences. To slow government growth, so we don’t tax hard working families and hand future generations a budget they can’t afford. To restore trust in government. To develop our resources responsibly,
including a gasline to meet our long-term energy needs. To equip our students for work and help them commit to personal responsibility and good character. United leadership to do the will of the people, with vigor.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
On Tax Reform:
Eliminate taxes that inhibit business
I will propose reducing or eliminating burdensome taxes on our citizens like business license fees and the tire tax. After our citizens, our state treasure is our commonly-owned natural resources.
Fifty years ago, our Constitution’s founders established lofty goals and ironclad promises to be self-sufficient and self-determined wise use of resources.
Source: 2008 State of the State Address to 25th Alaska Legislature
Jan 15, 2008
Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018