KEEPING ARIZONA SAFE, STRONG AND PROSPEROUS
Highlights of Governor Napolitano's 2006 State of the State Address
The state of Arizona is strong and growing stronger. Governor Janet Napolitano, in her 2006 State of the State remarks, acknowledged what Arizonans have told her directly: they want to keep Arizona moving forward. The Governor has reaffirmed her commitment to Keeping Arizona Safe, Strong and Prosperous. Safe, by securing Arizona's border with Mexico; by taking tough action against sex offenders; by providing shelter from domestic violence; and by breaking the methamphetamine supply chain. Strong, by investing in education with expansion of voluntary all-day kindergarten; a raise in teacher pay; by making teacher excellence achievable; and by increasing funding for universities and community colleges, and for financial aid. Prosperous, by implementing a $100 million package of tax relief; by using common sense fiscal management; by rewarding innovation, that in turn will create jobs; by caring for our veterans; and by providing a pay-raise for every state employee. SAFE Operational control of the Arizona-Mexico border. The Governor has proposed a four-part, $100 million plan. ? Fight border crime and enforce the rule of law at the border. o Crack down on human trafficking. o Uncover fraudulent documents used to facilitate illegal immigration. o Intercept stolen vehicles used to bring illegal immigrants from Mexico. ? Direct sufficient personnel and equipment to border enforcement. o Expand use of the Arizona National Guard. o Add officers to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. o Support local law enforcement in border communities. ? Employer sanctions. ? Continue the pressure on the federal government to meet its responsibility. o Enact a guest worker program. o Reimburse the state for costs related to illegal immigration. o Work with Mexico to reform its economic systems. Protection from sex offenders: ? Electronic tracking. ? Expand the law to include bigamists and end the statute of limitations on sex offenders. Protection for those who have suffered domestic violence: ? Begin a four-year, phased in plan to provide 100% of the shelter necessary for those trying to escape abuse. Protection from meth: ? Enact a tougher law that provides for highly controlled sales of the decongestant pseudoephedrine, which is used to make meth. ? Electronic monitoring of the sales on non-prescription drugs. ? Enhanced border enforcement.
STRONG Investing in education is the single most valuable thing we can do to protect the future of our children and to grow a healthy, cutting-edge economy. ? Expand the voluntary full-day kindergarten program statewide, and complete the phase-in this year. ? Increase teacher pay. o Every teacher earns a minimum salary of $30,000 per year. o All teachers in Arizona receive a raise. ? Provide professional development and ongoing training to ensure teacher excellence. ? Support increased funding to universities and community colleges, as well as increased student aid. PROSPEROUS Fiscal common sense, tax relief, managed growth and jobs. Governor Napolitano believes the state budget should be managed the same way a family must handle its finances: by paying off debts, investing in initiatives that provide long-term payoff, and by saving for a rainy day. ? $100 million in smart, targeted tax relief. o Health care: Credit for small businesses (2 to 25 employees) that currently provide health insurance; incentive credit for businesses that add health insurance for employees. Health insurance premium subsidy for low-income workers. o Vehicle license registration fee: Tiered reduction for high mile-per-gasoline vehicles. o 3-day `back-to-school' sales tax holiday. No sales tax on clothes, school supplies. No sales tax on up to $1000 in computer equipment. ? "Innovation Arizona" o Public-private partnership to attract world-class science and research to Arizona. o Support research to develop products that can be commercialized and brought to market. ? Water and fire: o New investment for water infrastructure. o Planning and prevention for what promises to be a very difficult 2006 fire season. ? Veterans: o Triple the number of veteran's benefits counselors to ensure Arizona's 585,000 military veterans receive the benefits they've earned. o Provide funding for a Veteran's Cemetery in northern Arizona, and a Veteran's Home in Southern Arizona. ? State employees: o An increase in the paycheck of every state of Arizona employee. In her budget, the Governor will propose a substantial deposit to the state's Budget Stabilization (or "rainy day") fund. Governor Napolitano believes that we are building an Arizona we can be proud of ? an Arizona that is safe, strong and prosperous.
Governor Janet Napolitano 2006 State of the State Address January 9, 2006
