Joe Manchin III in 2010 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Budget & Economy:
CAREFULLY plan stimulus: in planning mode; not panic mode
We have CAREFULLY planned our stimulus spending--reaching the most West Virginians we can with the money we have been provided. West Virginia is a top state for putting stimulus dollars to work on our highways and for building water and sewer lines.Ou
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
On Crime:
Accelerated parole system for non-violent offenders
Like most states, West Virginia is facing a dramatically increasing prison population we simply cannot sustain. We are always going to be tough on crime, but we must adopt a different approach or we will have an insurmountable problem.
Tonight I am introducing a bill that will streamline our parole system and use our prisons to keep violent offenders where they belong--locked up.
This accelerated parole system has been tested in other states and is one part of an overall plan to free up our prison resources.
This program would only be open to non-violent offenders and those convicted of crimes that do not involve a child.
And, we will be working with West Virginia State University for the combined purpose of expanding our work-release program and renovating the former Rehabilitation Center in Institute. We are not being soft on crime--we are being smart on crime.
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
On Education:
$540 million in ongoing school construction
Last July, WV became the first state to use the Qualified School Construction Bonds statewide, letting us build or improve dozens of schools at a much lower cost. We currently have $540 million in ongoing school construction--the largest amount in the
history of the School Building Authority, but much more needs to be done.I am asking the Legislature to give the SBA more borrowing flexibility. This will allow us to create a steady revenue stream and provide safer schools at cheaper bond rates.
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Stand up for our coal miners and their families
WV ranks second in the nation in exporting electricity, and most of our coal and natural gas is sent out of state. Despite the fact that half of our nation's electricity is generated by coal, and that our national economy depends on this abundant,
reliable and affordable energy, some want to villainize this resource. We must continue to stand up for our coal miners and their families! We are not asking for a handout. All we're asking for is the permission to work!We are reaching new and better
ways to use our coal. There is a balance to be had between our economy and our environment and West Virginia is leading the way in finding that balance. The world's first successful carbon capture and sequestration project is at AEP's Mountaineer Power
Plant. And plans are moving ahead on a coal-to-liquids project that will use state-of-the-art cleaner coal technology. Through this technology, West Virginia coal will be our primary energy source as we make the transition to the fuels of the future.
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
On Government Reform:
Public financing pilot for state Supreme Court races
I will introduce judicial reform legislation: a public financing pilot project for the two Supreme Court seats that will be open for election in 2012.
The goal is to relieve judges from the burden of political fundraising and to reduce the potential for appearance of bias as a result of campaign donations. This money would be available for both the primary and general elections.
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018