Jan Brewer in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Corporations:
Lower barriers to business growth: keep regulations lean
While we lower the barriers to business growth--keeping regulations lean and taxes competitive--it's clear we have another problem: our own sales tax system. Arizona's local and state governments have created a tax system with so many twists and
turns that we make it difficult for businesses to simply pay what they owe. For business owners serving customers in multiple cities...- with multiple license requirements
- multiple tax returns
- multiple tax bases
- and multiple audits
- compliance can be nearly impossible.
But we must do more than simply thank our small business owners. We can adopt the concrete steps outlined by the special task force--steps that will simplify our sales tax code,
remove one more barrier to economic growth and make Arizona even more competitive.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
On Crime:
Reduce crime by punishing criminals
Crime and violence in Arizona continue to trend downward.
Arizonans have reduced crime by punishing criminals, and not by infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
On Education:
Performance-based funding plan, instead of attendance-based
I'm so proud the Arizona Legislature joined me last year in funding the Move on When Reading program. Beginning now, schools across Arizona must develop comprehensive reading assessments to identify students falling behind. With the help of the State,
local schools will connect students with reading experts.And that brings us to school funding. Whatever your point of view, we should all agree that it's time we start funding the academic results we want to see. What I am proposing is the nation's
first comprehensive performance funding plan for our districts and charter schools. This plan will reward schools that earn high marks or see real improvement in performance. I'm not talking about scrapping attendance-based funding formulas. Rather, this
will augment that system with an innovative approach to promoting school performance, while maintaining local control. Together, let's stop simply funding the system we have and start funding the student achievement we want.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
On Environment:
Natural Resources Review Council: AZ knows BEST, not Feds
When it comes to management of our precious natural resources, I'd like Arizona to set its own course as much as possible. Today, I've issued an Executive Order establishing the Arizona Natural Resources Review Council.
This Council is tasked with creating a plan to help protect and maintain the values of multiple use, sustained yield, public access and economic development on federal lands.
I am calling on local governments and the private sector to join with the State to meet this long term vision.More than 30 million acres across our state are ALREADY under federal control.
The Council's plan will be one way we can protect Arizona's interests on federal lands. Arizona knows BEST how to manage her own land and natural resources.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
On Families & Children:
Arizona's abused and neglected children need help
On behalf of Arizona's abused and neglected children, in 2011, I convened a Child Safety Task Force. Now, we've improved operations at Child Protective Services...- by overhauling the hotline system so the most urgent calls are directed for faster
response
- by streamlining the hiring process to ensure every available caseworker position is filled
- and by cutting paperwork burdens so caseworkers spend more time checking up on children.
Despite these efforts, there can be no doubt our system
of child safety is under pressure. Arizona's abused and neglected children need help. The Executive budget will add 150 CPS caseworkers and boost foster care, adoption services and emergency placement of children needing rescue. Let's come together for
the safety of our children. We cannot strike evil from the hearts of those who would harm an innocent child. But these common sense steps will help at-risk children get the assistance they need before it's too late.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
On Principles & Values:
Add "competition" to copper; cattle; cotton; citrus; climate
We have just celebrated all of the achievements of Arizona's first 100 years, and we were reminded of Arizona's "Five C's": copper; cattle; cotton; citrus; and climate. I am here to tell you that our second century will hinge on another "C": Competition
That is the clear answer when I reflect upon what I have learned these past four years, and what has changed across the three decades since I first sat in this chamber.
Today, Arizona must COMPETE for the most desirable jobs for our citizens--the finest teachers in our schools--the most talented students and faculty in our universities.
And each of our citizens must likewise compete to earn a living, build
a future and raise a family in a safe and healthy environment. They face threats that once did not exist. And we at this capitol had better make sure we are helping them--not hurting them--in their efforts.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
On Tax Reform:
Proposition 100: sales tax expires; now economy is growing
We limited regulations and enacted the largest and most strategic tax cuts in state history--unlike our "friends" in Washington, D.C. And we even accomplished something novel and rare in politics: we kept our word. In 2010, we asked the people to
increase their own taxes, and promised them it would be temporary. That promise will be kept when the Proposition 100 sales tax expires in May.Not long ago, we were facing the worst housing collapse in our history.
Now, our housing market is on-the-mend, recovering faster in metro Phoenix than anywhere in America. We're adding jobs at the swiftest clip in years. In fact, Arizona ranked 5th in the nation for job growth during 2012. The Kauffman Index recently
declared Arizona the country's premier place for entrepreneurs. Our budget is now balanced, and we've set aside $450 million in the state's rainy-day fund for the next time crisis strikes.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 05, 2018