2023 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Education
Andy Beshear:
5% pay raise to address public school teacher shortage
[I'm introducing the] Education First Plan, which begins with a 5% pay raise for every public school educator. Passage of this bill is both vital and necessary to address Kentucky's shortage of nearly 11,000 public school teachers.
Addressing our teacher shortage absolutely requires a pay raise. Just over the last year, Kentucky dropped from 42nd to 44th in teacher pay. We must act. Failure to do so harms our children and undermines public education.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature
Jan 4, 2023
Brad Little:
Support public schools AND educational freedom
We also put the single largest ongoing investment ever into Idaho education - $330 million for public schools and $80 million for in-demand career training. The people's vote affirming tax relief and our education investments passed in every single
county, every single city, and every single legislative district. The overwhelming support of our plan means, unmistakably, Idahoans expect us to support public schools.
We are third in the nation for education freedom--measures that include spending, school choice, transparency, and regulations. Whether it is traditional public schools,
public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, or homeschooling, hundreds of schooling options are available to Idaho families.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Brad Little:
$8500 scholarship for in-state post-high school education
I am very proud to announce my budget provides access to a scholarship of $8,500 starting next year to graduating high school students in Idaho to attend an Idaho university, community college, career technical or workforce training program of their
choice. Never have we provided a catalyst of this magnitude for students to "go on," in whatever way suits them. There are many pathways to success in today's economy and all pathways deserve our support.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Brian Kemp:
We have given teachers a $7,000 pay raise in just five years
While some politicians have continued to grumble about teacher pay in Georgia, let me give you the facts: In total, we will have given hardworking educators a $7,000 pay raise in just five years. No other General Assembly or governor will have raised
teacher pay by so much, so quickly, in state history! With the passage of this budget, the average teacher salary in Georgia will also now be over $7,000 higher than the Southeast regional average.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Brian Kemp:
HOPE Scholarship and Grant awards now cover 100% of tuition
That is why, for the first time in over a decade--and in the 30th year of both this program and the Georgia Lottery--we are once again fulfilling Governor Zell Miller's vision and returning HOPE Scholarship and Grant awards to 100% of tuition!
By covering 100% of tuition--a policy long worked on by members of both sides of the aisle--a student will receive roughly $1,000 in additional financial assistance in the coming school year.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Dan McKee:
Plan to reach Massachusetts education levels by 2030
In Providence there are already eight new or like new construction projects in progress with additional new schools in the early planning stages. And I'm proud to say that soon, Providence will have 50 percent of its students in new facilities--a
tenfold increase from 2017. This is progress and we're going to stay the course. And this isn't just happening in Providence. Statewide, 22 major new school projects are currently under design or construction.
It is time for us to make a targeted modification to the funding formula to improve outcomes and support students with greater needs. The budget will invest an additional $57 million in K-12 education and another $4 million for out-of-school learning
programs. We will fully fund our multilingual learners and high-cost special education to address the needs of these students. Within the first 100 days of my full term, we will be outlining a plan to reach Massachusetts education levels by 2030.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the R.I. legislature
Jan 17, 2023
Eric Holcomb:
State should cover cost of "curriculum fees" paid by parents
For parents of school-aged children, fees for curriculum materials essential for in-class instruction can be hundreds of dollars each year--per child--depending on the district! Sadly, Indiana remains one of only seven states that still allows this
disguised tax to be levied on parents. Our state constitution promises a tuition-free education. Let's cover the full cost of curriculum fees paid for by parents so that--starting next school year--no parent receives such a dreadful bill again.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Indiana legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Greg Gianforte:
Let's empower parents to choose what's best for their family
We must also ensure our kids receive the best education possible. Too often throughout our country, we've seen education bureaucrats fighting to keep parents out of their kid's education. Let's be clear, government should never stand between parents
and their kid's education. Let's empower Montana parents to choose what's best for their family and their kids. Let's protect parents' rights.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Montana legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Gretchen Whitmer:
A free, public preschool education for every 4-year-old
Every parent knows an early start is critical to their child's future. It's why we: read, talk, and sing to our babies, worry about finding a great child care provider, and have wait lists for great preschools.
Let's expand our bipartisan preschool effort--the Great Start Readiness Program--so every 4-year-old in Michigan can access a free, public preschool education by the end of my second term.
Let's fund MI Kids Back on Track, to offer every child personalized learning support to get them back on track for long-term success Investing in tutoring, after-school programs, and other learning supports gets children
1-on-1 time with a caring, qualified educator that they need to succeed. We need tutoring to get our kids back on track for Michigan's long-term economic success. Let's fund MI Kids Back on Track before spring break.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Gretchen Whitmer:
Goal: 60% earn a degree or skills certificate by 2030
To help young people get jobs to "make stuff and grow stuff," let's support talent development and keep closing in on our 60 by 30 goal to have 60% of people earn a degree or skills certificate by 2030. Let's keep funding the bipartisan
Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which lowers the cost of higher education--community college, private, or public university--by thousands of dollars for most students and makes college tuition-free for 65% of graduating seniors.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Henry McMaster:
Parents may choose public, private, or for-profit pre-K
To increase the percentage of children who enter our public schools ready to learn, we unleashed the free market and expanded full-day, four-year-old kindergarten to all at-risk children in the state.
Parents may now choose the public, private, or for-profit childcare provider that best suits their child's educational needs.
Placing an armed, certified school resource officer--SRO - in every school, in every county, all day, every day, has been one of my top priorities. At my request, the General Assembly began funding a grant program administered by the
Department of Public Safety to provide school districts with funds to hire more resource officers for our 1,283 public schools. This year I am recommending an additional $27.3 million to provide an additional 188 schools with an SRO.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Jared Polis:
Ensure access to career-connected learning in high schools
Let's ensure that every student has access to career-connected learning while they are in high school and let's reward those schools that are doing more to help their students succeed in the workforce and in life!
Whether it's dual and concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, work-based learning and apprenticeship, or even receiving an industry certification or associate's degree.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature
Jan 17, 2023
Jim Justice:
Make all curriculum available online for parents to see
We must ensure that schools have the responsibility to the students and the parents and not to a bunch of special interest groups. All of our parents deserve to know exactly what's going on in a classroom. Without any question, our parents have
always known what the best is for their kids.Tonight I am proposing a bill to direct school systems to make all curriculum taught be available online where we can see every single thing that's being put into our little kids' heads.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the W.V. legislature
Jan 11, 2023
Jim Pillen:
Utilize community colleges to train students in the trades
I am recommending that the state assume responsibility for funding our community colleges. We all agree that our kids are our future. We need more of them to pursue their degrees here. We need to attract more students from other states.
[Today], 50% of our kids are not obtaining any training beyond high school. The success of utilizing community colleges in Nebraska for students best suited for trades is a game changer.
Our kids want to stay in Nebraska and get their post-secondary education here. My budget provides $39.4 Million to fund over 4,200 scholarships for Nebraska students who attend any of Nebraska's institutes of higher education. This helps us to compete
for our kids and keep them here. We need to reach out to K-12 and build relationships with our kids and give them hope. Scholarship them so that they can get an education and work in your business for a minimum of five years in return.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Jim Pillen:
$50 million for scholarships outside of public education
Focusing on all kids, I am recommending a $50 Million dollar investment for scholarships for Nebraska kids whose needs are best met outside of public education.
Opportunity scholarship tax credits will provide scholarships for kids who live in poverty, foster care systems, and those with special needs. We can't let one kid fall through the cracks.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Joe Lombardo:
$2 billion in new K-12 funding, and I expect results
I'm proposing the single largest investment in K-12 education and raising the bar on expectations and accountability to a level not yet seen. My budget contains $2 billion dollars in new funding for our students. That's an increase of more than 22%
from what was appropriated in the current biennium. Along with this funding, I expect results. If we don't begin seeing results, I'll be standing here in two years calling for systematic changes to the governance and leadership in K-12 education.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nevada legislature
Jan 23, 2023
Joe Lombardo:
Will create the Office of School Choice for every option
Traditional public schools are not--and should not--be the only option. I will be submitting legislation to create the Office of School Choice to ensure students and their parents have the information they need to evaluate every available option and
that ALL education providers are held to similar standards. Nevada's Pupil Centered Funding Plan is built on the idea that education dollars should consider the needs of students and should follow them no matter what school they attend.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nevada legislature
Jan 23, 2023
John Carney:
Increase state investments in early childhood education
Ultimately, if we want to expand economic opportunity and build a competitive workforce, we need to start in our schools. And we all know that a quality education starts with a committed, experienced teacher. Right now, the competition for the
best teachers in this region is more intense than ever. So we need to pay our teachers more to win the competition with surrounding states. When I introduce my budget next week, we will propose a significant increase in pay for our teachers.
Supporting our youngest learners and their families has to be a top priority for all of us. That's why my budget next week will increase state investments in early childhood education. We will propose an increase in purchase of care, helping
low-income families access quality child care.
We will also double funding for the Early Childhood Assistance Program--or ECAP. These programs serve many of the most vulnerable 3- and 4-year-olds in our state.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Katie Hobbs:
We must immediately override archaic funding cap
We must first address the potential catastrophe that will happen in just a few months if the legislature does not act to address the archaic funding cap--officially known as the Aggregate Expenditure Limit--by March 1. The solution is simple and it
doesn't cost another penny. Representative David Cook has already introduced a resolution to override this outdated limit. This legislature should bring it to the floor. The Democrats in both chambers are ready to act on this immediately.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Katie Hobbs:
Vouchers lack accountability; will likely bankrupt the state
Rather than doing the right thing, the previous legislature passed a massive expansion of school vouchers that lacks accountability and will likely bankrupt this state. In fact, funding this expansion is poised to cost Arizona taxpayers an estimated
$1.5 billion over the next 10 years if left unaddressed. That's why when my budget is delivered on Friday, you will see that it truly invests in public schools and students--ensuring we are a Prepared Arizona.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Katie Hobbs:
It's not an educator shortage; it's a retention crisis
The reality is, we don't have an educator shortage, what we have is a retention crisis. There are too many amazing professionals who have walked away from the career they love because of the uncompetitive salaries, onerous policies, and unfunded
mandates this state has chosen to implement that rob educators of the joy of teaching. Teachers are creating the workforce and leaders of tomorrow, and it's time we started treating them with the respect they deserve.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Katie Hobbs:
Expand Arizona Promise Scholarship Program for state college
For tens of thousands of students, choosing to pursue a four-year degree from one of our state's major public universities is the right path. That's why we're expanding the Arizona Promise Scholarship Program, which last year made college more
affordable for over 4,000 families, by including funding capacity for an additional 10,000 students who will now have an opportunity to pursue a college degree but otherwise would have been held back by the associated costs.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Arizona legislature
Jan 9, 2023
Kim Reynolds:
Create education savings accounts for private schooling
Every parent should have a choice of where to send their child--and that choice shouldn't be limited to families who can afford it. My school choice bill will create education savings accounts for families who choose to send their child to a private
school. The State will contribute $7,598 to that account, which is the amount of funding the State provides for each child who attends a public school.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Iowa legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Kristi Noem:
Scholarships for foster kids includes private school tuition
Today, I am announcing the "Stronger Families Scholarships" proposal, which I will be working with you on to provide a new education opportunity for these kids. Any child in the foster care system will have the opportunity to receive up to $4,000 in a
scholarship to help them achieve their full potential, from kindergarten through 12th grade. This money can be used to pay tuition at a private school, pay for tutoring or teaching services, pay for standardized tests or AP exams, and more.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the S.D. legislature
Jan 10, 2023
Laura Kelly:
My budgets will fully fund schools every year I'm Governor
Earlier this month, I introduced a budget that fully funds our schools for the fifth year in a row. And in case you're wondering, my budget next year will also fully fund our schools, as will my budget every year I'm Governor.
And to further my commitment to students and families, my budget puts us on the path to fully funding Special Education.
Know this: I will oppose any efforts that are designed to turn parents against teachers. I will resist politicians who want to score political points at the expense of our students and our families. Our students should not be used as political pawns.
Not ever. We all agree our kids do better when parents and teachers are involved in their education?so rather than distracting ourselves with wedge issues, let's focus on giving them both the resources and the support they need.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
College enrollment has increased for first time in a decade
Since we created tuition-free college, New Mexico college enrollment has increased for the first time in over a decade, and the number of first-time, full-time students has grown by nearly 10 percent--the second-highest college enrollment gain
of any state in the country. In some cases, grandparents, parents and their kids are all going to college at the same time--generating new possibilities and a new sense of promise for what we can achieve together.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Michelle Lujan-Grisham:
New constitutional right to early childhood education
As our highly successful Early Childhood Trust Fund grows--and with our new nation-leading constitutional right to early childhood education--
we will provide child care and early education for each and every one of our families by investing more than half a billion dollars in targeted funding.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.M. legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Mike DeWine:
Expand eligibility for EdChoice scholarship program
Some school officials have told me that they would like to place a School Resource Officer in their school, but simply cannot afford to do so. In this budget, we offer all schools -- public and private -- who want a School Resource Officer, with
additional state funding to help them do so.We also want to do this because, oftentimes, there is a trust that gets built between students and the officer that would not otherwise occur -- but for that officer being in the school each day.
Now, children have unique needs, so we want families to have the opportunity to send their children to a school that best meets those needs. That is why our budget proposal includes an historic investment in the EdChoice scholarship program by
expanding eligibility to families at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This investment will allow more families than ever to take advantage of this scholarship and find the best school for their children.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Jan 31, 2023
Mike DeWine:
Use the evidence-based approaches of the Science of Reading
Tragically, today 40 percent of all Ohio 3rd Grade students are not proficient in reading -- 40 percent! There a is great deal of research about how we learn to read. And today, we understand the great value and importance of phonics.
Not all literacy curriculums are created equal. In our budget, we are making sure that all Ohio children have access to curriculum that is aligned with the evidence-based approaches of the Science of Reading.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Jan 31, 2023
Spencer Cox:
The largest variable in student outcomes is the teacher
The data is clear. The largest variable in student outcomes is the quality of the teacher. I have said this many times, and I will say it again: If we ran an experiment with two identical students, and you let me pick the teacher, and I let you pick
everything else: the school, the curriculum, the books, the software and electronics, the administration, I will win every time. And if we want to guarantee that we have the best teachers, we must invest in our teachers.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature
Jan 19, 2023
Tate Reeves:
We need more choice; we need more freedom
The year I first presided over a State of the State in 2012, Mississippi was dead last in fourth grade math. Now, we're above the national average at Number 23. That means that over the last ten years since we passed education reform,
Mississippi surpassed half the states in the nation. We've gone from needs improvement to most improved. We've led the nation in fourth grade reading and fourth grade math gains.
When it comes to education, Mississippi should protect parents' voices and their right to be involved in the classroom. Because at the end of the day, the state doesn't run a child's life--parents do. We need more transparency in schools in this country.
We need more choice. We need more freedom. That will be the best way to protect our children. Nobody, and I mean nobody, is more invested in the life and the future of a child than a parent.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Miss. legislature
Jan 30, 2023
Tate Reeves:
Won't require pronouns that fail to correspond with reality
This Parents' Bill of Rights would further cement that when it comes to the usage of names, pronouns, or health matters, schools will adhere to the will of parents. There is no room in our schools for policies that attempt to undercut parents and
require the usage of pronouns or names that fail to correspond with reality. I'm especially proud to have signed legislation that ensured, that in Mississippi, we're going to let boys play boys sports, and girls play girls sports.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Miss. legislature
Jan 30, 2023
Tony Evers:
Invest $20 million to increase literacy-related programming
We're going to make targeted investments to improve reading and literacy outcomes and expand financial literacy curriculum across our state. We're going to invest $20 million to increase literacy-related programming and implement
evidence-based reading practices across Wisconsin. And our "Do the Math" initiative will help ensure our kids have the tools and skills to make smart budgeting and financial decisions to prepare for their future.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Glenn Youngkin:
We must provide choice within the public school system
Parents matter and we must protect their fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education and care of their children.
We must provide choice within the public school system by accelerating our efforts to build lab schools.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 11, 2023
Bill Lee:
Our goal is to train 10,000 new skilled workers a year
For many, a certification from one of our Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology will open the right doors. I propose that we complete Tennessee's TCAT Master Plan. To do that, we'll expand and improve 16 existing TCATs, replace seven outdated
facilities, and build six brand new TCATs at strategic locations across our state. Our goal is to train 10,000 new skilled workers a year. We're proposing $1 billion in this budget--the largest investment in our technical colleges in state history.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Bill Lee:
Strive for best public schools, provide choices for parents
In just the last six months, hundreds of families living in underserved zip codes have had an opportunity to pick the best school for their child through our Education Savings Account program. Our ESA program is changing lives, and
states across the country are following Tennessee's lead. I have always believed that we should strive to have the best public school system in the country and provide choices for parents.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Chris Sununu:
More funding for Charters, double Education Freedom Accounts
Overall, New Hampshire schools will see an additional $200 million over the next two years -- and an additional $1 BILLION over the next 10 years--all with a priority towards school districts that need aid the most. These investments, which flow
directly to local schools, will help cities and towns lower their property taxes. The changes proposed will also have the effect of increasing funding to Charter Schools and DOUBLING the opportunity to our very successful Education Freedom Accounts.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the N.H. legislature
Feb 14, 2023
Greg Abbott:
Schools should not push woke agendas, period
Let's be clear: Schools are for education, not indoctrination. Schools should not push woke agendas. Period. We must reform curriculum, get kids back to the basics of learning, and we must empower parents. Parents deserve access to curriculum, school
libraries, and what their children are taught. We will do that with our Parental Bill of Rights.Parents also deserve education freedom. Without it, some parents are hindered in helping their child succeed.
The way to do that is with school choice through state-funded Education Savings Accounts. I created Education Savings Accounts for special needs students.
It worked so well that a bipartisan super-majority passed it into law and now wants to increase funding for it. Now, it's time to provide every parent with the ability to choose the best education option for their child.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
Greg Abbott:
Reward community colleges that produce employable Texans
I met Ariel Aguilar, a young graduate who was so grateful for the program. Instead of studying subjects irrelevant to his career, the job skill program gave him the ability to study what he needed. It also quickly landed him a good-paying career.
Our goal is to ensure that every Texan is prepared to succeed in high-demand industries like, technology, healthcare, and energy. That's why this session we will reward community colleges that produce skilled, employable Texans.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Texas legislature
Feb 16, 2023
J.B. Pritzker:
State and Pell grants make community college tuition-free
This year, every single student who is eligible for a MAP grant now gets one, and we are providing larger scholarships than ever before. With a $100 million increase to MAP, we can make history. Together with Pell grants, virtually everyone at or below
median income in Illinois can go to community college tuition-free. That means higher wages and better jobs in healthcare, IT, construction management, manufacturing, accounting, and much more.Explanation from Illinois Student Assistance
Commission:MAP (Monetary Award Program) grants, which do not need to be repaid, are available to eligible Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges and demonstrate financial need. To be eligible, you must:
- be a
U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- be an Illinois resident
- demonstrate financial need
- be enrolled at an approved Illinois college
- maintain satisfactory academic progress
- not be in default on any student loan
- not be incarcerated
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
J.B. Pritzker:
Allow pre-school access for every three and four year old
Smart Start Pre-K is a four year plan that will allow access to pre-school for every three and four year old in Illinois. It will increase our funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant program this year by $75 million. Smart Start Pre-K will provide
new center-based and school-based classrooms, improve quality across the board, attract new professionals to the field, and ensure we reach our most vulnerable. In the first year alone, 5,000 more seats will be available.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Illinois legislature
Feb 15, 2023
Janet Mills:
Free community college is working; let's keep it up
Last year, we worked together to make two years of Community College free for recent high school graduates. We believed that it would not only help students pursue higher education debt-free but that it would
make ready a trained workforce in much needed sectors of our economy.Maine's Community Colleges experienced record enrollment last year. Free community college is working. Let's keep it up for another two years!
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Maine legislature
Feb 14, 2023
Kevin Stitt:
Providing more options for students leads to better outcomes
For all those parents in Oklahoma whose child is stuck in a failing school--I am fighting for you! Oklahoma governors have been advocating for more parental choice for over 30 years.Other states like Iowa and
Virginia and Florida and New Hampshire have already figured it out. Providing more options for students leads to better outcomes. Oklahoma cannot afford to be left behind.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Kevin Stitt:
Fewer DEI officers for schools; more career placement
Let's make sure our universities and higher education are partnering with companies to train the workforce of tomorrow. I want to challenge OU and OSU to grow and deliver a quality education to 40,000 students by 2030. Because
when we send our kids to college, we expect our tuition to pay for their education, not their indoctrination! I want our universities to have less DEI officers and more career placement counselors. [Note: "DEI" is "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion"]
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Wes Moore:
End the myth that every job requires a college education
To rebuild state government, and to give all Marylanders an opportunity to be a part of it, my administration will be looking at current standards to make sure they meet the requirements for the jobs we must fill. While Maryland is home to some of the
world's greatest institutions of higher education - a fact of which we should be very proud - we must end the myth that young people must attend one of them to be successful. That doesn't have to be the path for every student--it wasn't my path.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Maryland legislature
Feb 1, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023