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Minnesota State of the State
Governor Mark Dayton delivered his final State of the State address in a largely optimistic tone declaring, “Our number one priority should be tax fairness for individual Minnesotans and their…
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New Mexico State of the State: Governor Applauds Economic Diversification and Pushes for Comprehensive Tax Reform
The governor’s proposals for comprehensive tax reform, economic diversification, infrastructure spending prioritization, and education reform can generate longer-term opportunities. However, additional changes are needed. The state’s tort system and worker’s compensation costs remain economic drags. The relative lack of tax and expenditure limits and 8th highest number of state employees per capita contribute to a bloated state government.
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Wyoming State of the State: Fiscal Soundness Despite Setbacks in Energy Sector of Economy
Wyoming enjoys the 8th best economic outlook in the nation, according to Rich States, Poor States. This outlook has failed to translate into performance largely due to numerous macroeconomic factors and regulatory measures. The governor’s commitment to state regulatory reform, bureaucratic downsizing, and budget reform has resulted in the state weathering this storm with a strong balance sheet and low taxes. Rather than resort to higher taxes or centrally planned economic development, the continuation of a business-friendly climate is needed to incentivize further diversification and future growth of the economy.
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Utah State of the State: Acting Today with the Future in Mind
Even with the modest changes to property taxes and a possible increase in the gas tax, Utah’s overall pro-business status remains unrivaled. Economic growth and jobs growth over 10 years are 5th highest and 3rd highest, respectively. Perhaps Utah has indeed “become that shining city on a hill for our nation.”
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Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf’s Calls for Progress with “a Push”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s Budget Address contained a strong undercurrent of authoritarianism. Progress, as defined by the governor’s dictionary, can sometimes “require a push.” Agenda items within the speech reveal…
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Washington State of the State: Governor Inslee Repeats Demand for Destructive Carbon Tax
In addition to a massive carbon tax, Governor Inslee called for workforce development initiatives, healthcare regulations, and myriad new social regulations. In aggregate, this big government agenda would impede the business climate and economic growth of the state.
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New Hampshire State of the State Address
One of the youngest governors in the nation, Governor Chris Sununu, recently delivered his second State of the State address. He focused on New Hampshire’s unique strengths and commented,…
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Legislator of the Week: Kentucky State Representative Kim Moser
This week, ALEC and FreedomWorks introduce Kentucky State Representative Kim Moser. Representative Moser is a part of the Criminal Justice Reform Taskforce at ALEC and currently serves as the…
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Firing Blanks: Why the Current Focus on Guns in Schools Won’t Solve the School Safety Debate
After every school shooting tragedy, the same gun debates rage in America, pitting gun control advocates against Second Amendment supporters. But this frequently-heated debate unfortunately overshadows solutions that might bring…
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Texas: Governor’s Report to the People Highlights Both Triumphs and Misses on Tax Reform
In a recent Report to the People, Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote the state of the state is strong. He highlighted “a year of triumphs and challenges – and…
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The Williams Report
Budget National: S&P finds tariffs could hurt state, city budgets Alabama: The Alabama Senate delivers a general fund budget to the governor’s office. Alaska: To avert shutdown…
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Video Game Violence and the Game Washington Plays
Almost like clockwork after a tragedy of gun violence, special interests begin pointing fingers. One of the regular targets of such finger pointing is the video game industry. Rather than…
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Georgia State of the State: Gov. Deal Touts “Orchards of Opportunity”
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal unveiled an ambitious and packed legislative agenda for the coming year in his final State of the State Address on January 11. The governor touted…
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Arkansas Budget Address: Planning for Tax Reform
In his January address to the Joint Budget Committee, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson outlined the details of his $5.6 billion FY 2019 budget proposal. While this is around $100…
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Mississippi State of the State: Improving the Improvements
In his seventh State of the State address on January 9, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant proclaimed that Mississippi is on the rise and celebrated his administration’s success in achieving…
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Rhode Island State of the State: Governor Applauds Success of Past Reforms, Misses on Need for More
During her annual State of the State address, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo pointed to an improving economy evidenced by “cranes in the sky” and the plunge in…
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State of the State: South Carolina Gov. McMaster Announces Bold Pro-Growth Tax Reform Agenda
In his first State of the State address, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared that federal tax reform and state tax cut proposals promise a new era of opportunity.
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Tennessee State of the State: Haslam Calls for Continued Fiscal Prudence in Volunteer State
In his eighth and final State of the State address, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam counseled lawmakers to continue their efforts to lead the nation on job growth, economic opportunity,…
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Delaware State of the State: Governor Admits Budget Deficit “A Simple Math Problem” But Proposes More Spending
To his great credit, Governor John Carney admitted in his 2018 State of the State Address, that the state’s substantial future structural budget deficits are “a simple math problem.
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Kansas State of the State: Gov. Brownback Resists Tax Hikes, Calls for Constitutional Amendment on Ed Financing
The governor’s rejection of a tax increase is welcomed news for taxpayers. Just last year, legislators overrode his veto in order to enact an enormous tax increase of $1.2 billion over the next two years alone. This tax hike on individuals and businesses wiped out much of the tax reductions from the 2012 reforms. Avoiding a new tax increase, pushing for a voter-approved constitutional amendment on school financing, and demanding educational reforms will help avoid compounding the damage from last year’s tax hikes.