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The President’s State of the Union Address: What They’re Saying Part II
Governors: What They’re Saying About the President’s State of the Union Address
Following President Obama’s second State of the Union address, here’s what Governors are saying:
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
“President Obama tonight outlined a strong, transformative and positive path for our nation. His State of the Union address underscored the need for austerity, innovative thinking and collaboration on both sides of the aisle. Promoting private sector job growth through economic development and restrained government spending is the right tactic to put our country on the right track. As President Obama fully understands, New York and many other states are working hard to address multi-billion dollar deficits. I had the pleasure of meeting with President Obama last week at General Electric's facility in Schenectady, where he announced his new Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. I applaud his foresight in recognizing that it takes a focused approach and a harnessing of private sector resources to fully open our economy to future development and progress. As a nation, all Americans must refocus their energies to create solutions for future generations. President Obama's leadership will continue to pave the way for our nation to thrive and prosper, and I look forward to working with him and our federal representatives to tackle the sizeable challenges facing New York State and our country.”
North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue
"The President tonight called for America to find a new focus on how we grow jobs and educate our children in a 21st century, global economy. Here in North Carolina, we have already embraced this way of thinking. Today we must not just welcome innovation, but incentivize it; we must not only encourage new industry clusters but actively grow them. In North Carolina, innovation and new industries are in green energy, military, aerospace and biotech. But we must not forget that our ability to truly carry out this kind of economic vision will hinge on how well we do one, single thing: educate our children. They are our future workforce, the thinkers and doers who will carry this state forward on the foundation we pour today. If we are to own the future, we must start with them."
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley
“President Obama’s focus tonight on increasing America’s global competitiveness is welcome news in states across our country, and to American businesses and families. Our nation is in a fight for its economic future and it is a fight in which every state has an important role to play to win the future. Democratic governors have been singularly focused on creating jobs, managing for results, and making the tough – but fiscally responsible decisions – to improve public education, make college more affordable, and spur innovation to help businesses create jobs. Democratic governors support President Obama's results-oriented approach to reduce the deficit and invest in the right priorities to fuel innovation and move America forward by creating new jobs and new opportunities for America's families. And Democratic governors will continue every day to make the tough choices to ensure that our states – and our nation – are poised for success in the new global economy. We look forward to working with President Obama and Congress to achieve this end.”
Washington Governor Christine O. Gregoire:
“In tonight's State of the Union address, President Obama challenged every member of Congress and every American to keep America's place in the world through innovation, competition and education. The proposals he unveiled to create jobs and control spending echoed some of what we have done to solve the challenges in Washington's budget, like transforming government and tackling the programs that drive up costs year after year. The President is providing the strong leadership and bold direction that our economic recovery is demanding. America's economic future lays with the jobs that will power innovative, new industry. The President's focus on the jobs of tomorrow bodes well for our state. As a global leader in - and major exporter of - technology, aerospace, life sciences, clean energy and other 21st Century industries, Washington state is well positioned to compete-and win-in the new, global economy. I was especially pleased at President Obama's call for Congress and all Americans to work together as our nation rebuilds its economy and forges a more prosperous future for our children and communities. Over the past few weeks, I have announced proposals that would reduce unemployment taxes for businesses, help more unemployed workers retrain for new careers and unify Washington's education system so there is more focus on students and less on bureaucracy. These initiatives will improve our state's competitiveness at home and abroad and offer families, workers and businesses a path to emerge stronger from this recession.”
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton
“It was a terrific speech. Under President Obama’s leadership, our country is on its way to a new era in which we will lead the world into the 21st century through public-private partnerships in innovation, research, education and infrastructure. My goal is for all of us in Minnesota to work together so that our state will once again lead our country into this new era.”
Delaware Governor Jack Markell
“While much of the speech was about innovation - making sure the nation has ready the tools for tomorrow - the challenges we face and the choices we make in this area are rooted in what's best from our past. Our nation's history as a leader in growth economies - defined in turns by agriculture, heavy industry and information technology - did not happen by accident. It required hundreds of thousands of people to make a conscious commitment to keep our nation ahead. The President affirmed that commitment tonight and is clearly leading us forward.”
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin
“The President’s speech was an important call for civility, innovation and bipartisan cooperation to move our nation forward. The President understands that to move our nation out of this recession and maintain our global leadership, we can and must be bold and do big things. Here in Vermont, we are renewing our commitment to making our state competitive in a global economy through technology and innovation. The President’s emphasis on expanding broadband and improving our aging transportation infrastructure particularly resonates in our state. I was also encouraged by the President’s willingness to be flexible on the implementation of the health care law and applaud his steadfast commitment to ensuring that we not turn the clock back on the progress we have made. I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the White House on our shared agenda.”
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
“If there was one word that stood out in the President’s speech tonight it was innovation. His emphasis on reform, responsibility and support for education was right on target. The President sounded themes that should resonate with Coloradans no matter what their political affiliation may be, including a call to make government more efficient, cutting red tape and unleashing the country’s entrepreneurial spirit. It was also encouraging to hear the President commend a Colorado school that embraced reform and created opportunity for its students. This kind of change isn’t Democrat or Republican – it’s change sparked by all communities coming together. We need more of that for the benefit of our Colorado and our nation.”
Mayors: What They’re Saying About the President’s State of the Union Address
Following President Obama’s second State of the Union address, here’s what Mayors are saying:
Burnsville, Minnesota Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, U.S. Conference of Mayors President
“The nation's mayors are pleased that President Obama spoke about unity and bipartisanship as we move forward to solve the challenges facing America and address this country's deteriorating infrastructure. For years, The U.S. Conference of Mayors has pushed infrastructure modernization as a means of job creation and economic development. A multi-modal transportation system is critical to effectively moving the nation's goods and services and people -- 85% of whom live, work and travel in metropolitan areas -- through the nation's cities both large and small. Last week, the mayors of the nation gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Conference of Mayors' Winter Meeting, where mayors met with President Obama and again shared the need to focus on jobs. The unemployment rate in our nation's cities continues to be our first priority as statistics show that one-third of the nation's 363 metro areas will still have an unemployment rate higher than 10 percent at the end of 2011. "We know that the nation's recovery will be driven by the economic engines of the metropolitan areas, and without job growth in the metropolitan areas, there can be no sustained national recovery. Mayors are pragmatic - we work for the good of all people we serve. As a national nonpartisan organization that represents mayors who get things done everyday in their own cities, we stand ready to work with the President and the Congress to bring Washington together to get things done on the national level. We also are working with business leaders to forge a national consensus in support of job creation and infrastructure investment.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mayor Michael A. Nutter
"President Obama tonight put every nation in the global marketplace on notice – America is coming back stronger than ever. The President’s playbook underscores that our contest is not a partisan battle between red and blue. No, it’s about propelling the USA into a prosperous future based on critical investments in education, transportation and energy even as we’re creating a leaner, more focused Federal government working with American business to innovate and to build the real powerhouse of the 21st Century with dozens of job-rich hubs like the clean-energy campus at the Navy Yard, right here in Philadelphia."
Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory A. Booker
“Tonight the President of the United States put forth a compelling vision for our nation’s future. He spoke in sound pragmatic terms about how we can forge ahead and build a stronger more competitive American economy. Specifically, for us in Newark, we heard substantive hope for our community and residents. The President's emphasis on building up our infrastructure, aiding small businesses, investing in education and fueling research at universities and other institutions all speak to creating a strong economy, increased growth and future jobs in our city and region. I am encouraged by his plans, inspired by his vision and more hopeful about our future. I look forward to working with our President to make real his vision and implement his bold plans.”
New Orleans, Louisiana Mayor Mitch Landrieu
“Last week, when I met with President Obama, he committed to create jobs by making smart investments in infrastructure, education, and innovation. Tonight, President Obama demonstrated that he clearly understands the needs of the American people and specifically those of us in cities across our country. President Obama understands like I do that a leaner, more efficient government doesn’t mean cutting at any cost. We cannot cut our way to excellence. We must cut smart, reorganize, and invest for the future. This is not only about creating better communities today but also for future generations. Tonight, President Obama laid out a plan to win by out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world. No where is the battle for the future of America more evident than here in New Orleans—the most immediate laboratory for change and innovation in our country. With President Obama as a key partner, we are transforming our infrastructure, schools, housing and health care system, and in the process, we are creating a more robust economy. I look forward to working with the President as we rebuild New Orleans and create a blue print for urban renewal across America.”
Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Steve Benjamin
“Tonight the President showed us once again that true leadership is focused on the next generation not the next election. He has dared us to think big and act boldly. He has challenged us to raise our expectations for our schools, our government and ourselves. He has asked us to make a difference. Here in Columbia, we are ready to meet the President’s challenge for a new era of clean energy. We are ready to lead the way. It’s time for us all to work together and win our future by investing in education, innovation and infrastructure. In his speech tonight, President Obama has shown us how.”
Flint, Michigan Mayor Dayne Walling
“As America faces some of its toughest challenges in its history, President Obama tonight restored our faith and hope in America and its future. He laid the ground work of how we will compete and win in the 21st Century through education and innovation. As the Mayor of Flint, MI, I was delighted to hear the president highlight a Michigan small business that is helping our state and our country lead the way in alternative energy. I was encouraged by the president’s assertion that government will invest in this kind of innovation. The President laid out a solid plan for an economy driven by new skills and new ideas that will secure prosperity for ourselves and future generations of Americans, in our cities and all across our country.”
Newtown, Massachusetts Mayor Setti Warren
"President Obama delivered a clear and strong message tonight. As a Mayor in these difficult economic times, I applaud the President's commitment to eliminating waste, embracing the use of technology to make government more efficient, and making smart investments in our future."
Jacksonville, Florida Mayor John Peyton
“Our country may be shouldering one of the most challenging economic times in its history; however, we continue to embrace and strive for the many opportunities that lie ahead. I was pleased to hear President Obama plans to regain control of governmental spending and reduce our national deficit so as a country we can eliminate barriers to our success.”
Youngstown, Ohio Mayor Jay Williams
“The President's State of the Union address was masterful in content, tone, and delivery. I sense a renewed optimism and inspiration over the course of the next two years and I am eager to help advance the agenda that President Obama has laid out for this country. The State of our Union is strong!”
Saint Paul, Minnesota Mayor Chris Coleman
“Tonight the President laid out a clear vision for the future of America. A future that will be won with cooperation between the public and private sectors to foster job creation and a robust commitment to investment in our infrastructure. In particular, I applaud his emphasis on educational innovation and the critical role it will play in the future competitiveness of our nation. The President was right. We do big things when we work together and are open to an honest debate on the merits of the challenges we face. I look forward to working with businesses and community leaders to achieve even bigger things here in Saint Paul and throughout the region.”
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mayor Tom Barrett
“Tonight, President Obama spoke directly to the American people about growing our economy and securing our nation’s future. There is so much more to be done for the millions of Americans who are out of work, for our families struggling to make-up for lost wages and for our young people looking to join the workforce. President Obama laid out a plan to tackle these issues. It’s time Democrats, Republicans and Independents join the President in making sure that our economy is growing and working for all Americans. President Obama is right. Our greatest challenge is not overcoming partisan politics; it’s winning the race with global competitors for the jobs and industries we need to keep America great.”
Des Moines, Iowa Mayor Frank Cownie
“The President outlined tonight an economic agenda that will create jobs for the American people and continue the economic recovery. It is a realistic plan that makes tough budget choices while investing in our future. The President is asking all of us to be more creative in building a more competitive economy. This means we will have to find ways to spend our federal resources smarter and more efficiently. This is what every American family has had to do since the start of the recession and one that the federal government must now embrace. I applaud the President’s priorities for increasing American competitiveness, including continued investments in infrastructure, education, research and development, and energy independence."
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