Earl Ray Tomblin in 2012 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Drugs:
Not just criminal penalties: use technology for enforcement
Illegal drug use and the abuse of prescription drugs affect all of us. It is an equal opportunity destroyer of dreams and lives. It affects the poor, the affluent, the educated, and everyone in between. That is why this past year I formed the Governor's
Substance Abuse Advisory Council and six Regional Task Forces. They have been collecting the facts, working with prevention, detection, and treatment experts in order to increase the access and effectiveness of our substance abuse programs.
Solving our drug problems is not just about increasing criminal penalties. I have learned that we must use technology to fight our drug problems and enhance enforcement. We must use our prescription monitoring program so that when an abuser tries to
doctor or pharmacy shop, we stop it.
I will require that individuals pass a drug screening prior to enrolling in our state's taxpayer funded workforce training programs. Now is the time to get serious about ending drug abuse and addiction.
Source: West Virginia 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
On Energy & Oil:
Fight the federal government's war on coal
As long as I am Governor I will continue to fight this administration's war on coal! A few months ago, a federal court agreed with our lawsuit and ruled that the federal EPA had in fact overstepped its authority. I will keep fighting until
Washington recognizes that one of the keys to America's future is the use and promotion of our natural resources. It is a fight from which I will not shrink, and one that I fully expect to win!
Source: West Virginia 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
On Social Security:
Privatize W.V.'s workers' compensation system
We must be responsible stewards of State finances. We did that with our West Virginia Unemployment Trust Fund. Our fund is stable and solvent. While 27 other states have had to borrow billions from the federal government to pay benefits, we have not
borrowed one dime!We took the necessary steps to reform and privatize our workers' compensation system. That effort has resulted in rates that have been reduced by more than 47% since 2005. Our premiums are now below the national average!
Source: West Virginia 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2012
Page last updated: Aug 10, 2019