The States Respond to the President’s State of the Union Address

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dan Reynolds
Email: dreynolds@alec.org

The States Respond to the President’s State of the Union Address

ARLINGTON, VA – (FEBRUARY 5, 2020) The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) releases the following statements with regard to President Trump’s 2020 state of the union address. Many state governors have or will soon deliver their state of the state addresses, and the voice of the states is imperative when considering the full state of this union.

ALEC Executive Vice President for Policy Jonathan Williams states, “I agree with the President’s account for the current state of this union – it is strong. The extraordinary longevity of our economy is a marvel, which is putting more Americans to work in higher paying jobs. Following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, states received an incredibly powerful opportunity to lower their own tax burdens and pay down state debt.

ALEC Chief Executive Officer Lisa B. Nelson states, “I am proud to see the work of ALEC and its network of freedom-loving state legislators on full display at this year’s state of the union address. ALEC has championed education choice for decades, and it is powerful to see a child receiving the freedom to go to the school they deserve. On criminal justice reform, ALEC has led the way for a revolution in the states to diminish mandatory minimum sentences and to judge individuals with the human dignity with which we are all born. The federal FIRST STEP Act applauded last night was based on an ALEC model policy and an ALEC model Resolution: the Justice Safety Valve Act and the Resolution in Support of Reentry Programs.”

ALEC Executive Vice President for Policy Jonathan Williams continues, “I am particularly glad to see historic tax reform success at the top of this year’s state of the union address. The opportunity zones program referenced by President Trump showcases an important lesson from Economics 101: Lower tax rates lead to more private sector investment. If lower taxes on investments create more growth, we should make all of America an opportunity zone with lower taxes across the board for all hardworking taxpayers.”

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The American Legislative Exchange Council is the largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators in the United States. The Council is governed by state legislators who comprise the Board of Directors and is advised by the Private Enterprise Advisory Council, a group of private, foundation and think tank members. For more information about the American Legislative Exchange Council, please visit: www.alec.org.