Arizona 2006: building a state that’s safe, strong and prosperous

On Jan. 9, I stood before the Arizona Legislature and laid out my vision for the coming year in my State of the State Address. It is a vision created with the input of the Arizonans who have given me glimpses of the kind of future they want to build. In short, we all must work together to raise up a state that is ever more safe, ever more strong, and ever more prosperous.

To make us safer:

• I will propose a comprehensive, $100-million border security package that provides state and local law enforcement with the resources they need to uphold the rule of law at the border.

• In addition, I will propose tough but fair measures to help protect families from sexual offenders and help law enforcement crack down on methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution.

• And I will take the steps necessary to begin to offer safe harbor to women who suffer the effects of domestic violence.

To make us stronger:

• We must take bold steps to give our children a world-class education, up to and including a university degree.

These steps include giving every teacher in Arizona a pay raise with a base starting-salary of $30,000, as well as giving them the professional development and support they deserve.

I have also asked the Legislature to completely fund the Voluntary Full-Day Kindergarten initiative we began two years ago. Let’s make this option available to every child and family who want it, and let’s do it this year.

• We must also ensure that our working families have access to high-quality health care.

That means giving a tax credit to small businesses that start or continue offering health insurance to their employees, and it means giving subsidies to low-income individuals to help them afford their health care premiums.

To expand Arizona’s prosperity:

• I propose providing $100 million dollars in smart tax relief that strengthens our economy and invests in new technologies that will create the jobs of the future.

These tax measures will include a vehicle license tax break that rewards individuals who drive fuel-efficient vehicles.

They also include a suspension on the sales tax right before schools starts so that families will be better able to afford the supplies their children need to get off to the right start at school.

With those tax measures in place, we will still continue to manage the state’s finances responsibly and put money away in savings so we can deal with any unexpected crises in the future.

With the policies and programs, the innovation and ideas I have laid out, we will be preparing our state for a future that is brighter than many of us could have imagined only a few years ago. I appreciate your continued support for these issues and all the issues that are important to Arizona. Together, we are building a state that is safe, strong, and prosperous – a state we can always be proud to call home.