Eric Holcomb in 2017 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Drugs:
Attack epidemic with prevention, treatment & enforcement
My fourth pillar [for economic growth] is to attack the drug epidemic. This is a problem that is taking an enormous toll across the country, and Indiana has not escaped the pain. Since the year 2000, deaths from drug overdoses have increased 500%, and
we are 15th in the country in overdose fatalities. This epidemic causes ripple effects with devastating impacts on our children and families, our cities and towns, our schools and government agencies, our health care system and health care costs for
each of us, and our economy.But we need to do more, much more. So we're going to attack this problem on all fronts: prevention, treatment and enforcement. We plan to limit the amount of controlled substances, prescriptions and refills, enhance
penalties for those who commit pharmacy robberies, and upgrade the Indiana State Police labs to fight the drug epidemic. This is a fight we can and we must win if we're going to take Indiana to the next level.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
On Free Trade:
We're as likely to trade with Germany as with Georgia
Let's start with strengthening and diversifying our economy because I believe that is the linchpin to improving Hoosier lives. Everything is easier if you have a job. As we begin our third century, we see jobs and entire industries based on knowledge,
technology and innovation. And we're as likely to be trading with Germany and South Korea as we are with Georgia and South Dakota.
This really hit home to me again on a recent trade relations mission to London. I visited with the CEOs of three major global companies based there: Tate & Lyle--the biggest user of Indiana corn, AcelorMittal--whose Indiana Harbor complex is the largest
integrated steelmaking facility in North America, and Rolls-Royce--which makes more of its products here in Indianapolis than anywhere else in the world--and by the way just invested another $600 million here.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
On Jobs:
Five pillars: 21st century workforce is magnet for jobs
Over the next 10 years we'll need to find 1 million new skilled workers to replace the 700,000 baby boomers who will retire plus the 300,000 new jobs we'll need to create. So I am proposing a set of transformational priorities--my five pillars--aimed
at doing exactly that. Most will require long-term commitment and focus. Some will require new resources and new ways of doing business. But all of them must begin today. For 2017, we must:- ONE: Cultivate a strong and diverse economy to ensure
that Indiana remains a magnet for jobs
- TWO: Fund a long-term roads and bridges plan that takes the greatest advantage of our location
- THREE: Develop a 21st century skilled and ready workforce
-
FOUR: Attack the drug epidemic, and
- FIVE: Provide great government service at a great value to taxpayers.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
On Technology:
High-tech is key to unlocking 21st century economy
Because we've created one of the best business climates in the country, we've become national leaders in business growth. Businesses and jobs that a dozen years ago were going to Austin or Boston or the Silicon Valley are now coming to Indiana. Because
we saw that innovation and high-tech were keys to unlocking the 21st century economy, we aggressively pursued them. And today, those investments have ignited new high-tech jobs all across our state.Businesses from around the world are coming to
Indiana now because our costs of living and doing business are low and the quality of our workforce is high. This is great news for Hoosier workers. But we know the world will not stand still, and those who don't keep up will be left behind.
For all our growing strength in high tech too many Hoosier businesses are having trouble finding the skilled workers they need to grow--not just potential scientists and engineers but also coders, machinists, mechanics and welders.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
On Technology:
Invest a little more to keep the Crossroads of America
My second pillar [for economic growth] is a sustainable plan to fund our roads and bridges for the next 20 years. We're able to drive the goods we produce and grow to 80% of the nation's population within 24 hours. For Indiana, The Crossroads of America
is more than a motto. It's a mission.I will work with you to establish a plan that preserves what we have, finishes commitments we have made, and invests in the new projects for the future that ensures Indiana remains The Crossroads of America.
These include projects in every quadrant of our state: upgrades of US 30 from Ft. Wayne to Valparaiso, and 31 to South Bend, additional lanes on I-70 and I-65, and completing I-69 from Evansville to Ft. Wayne.
The fact is, existing sources of revenue
are just not keeping up. If we ask Hoosiers to invest a little more, to meet the need, the return is going to be well worth it--for them, for our communities, and for our economy.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Indiana Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Page last updated: Dec 10, 2018