Steve Bullock in 2013 Governor's State of the State speeches

On Budget & Economy: Be responsible, because our children are watching

1. Be responsible with our budget, because I won't allow you to spend more than we take in or make cuts that undermine our long-term stability.
2. Join me in focusing on creating jobs, investing in education, and making government more effective; and
3. Lastly, act in a manner that we're not ashamed to have our children watching...because they are.

On Corporations: State colleges will offer certificates for needed job skills

As part of this new program, we'll also ensure that students at the high schools in Great Falls can graduate with the certificates that will make them attractive candidates for these great jobs. Not only is that better jobs, but it's better schools, too.

On Education: Invest in higher ed for 21st Century workforce, like Diesel

The Missoula College was built in 1956 for 700 students and now has an enrollment approaching 3,000. Last week I visited the Automotive and Diesel Program at Havre. It has 200 students, a 100% placement rate, and some graduates earn a starting salary better than a Governor. But without our investment, this program cannot grow.

And it's not just Missoula and Havre; many of our facilities are outdated and operating beyond their capacity. The young Montanans who are willing to invest in higher education deserve better. That's why [the state government]--along with the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Contractors Association and others--have joined together to propose record investments in our educational facilities.

On Education: Increase from 40% to 60% those with some college

• Offering college classes to more high school students will help them recognize that higher education is within their reach and will give them a jump start on earning college credits.
• We can make it easier for students by creating a universal enrollment system, so students at Miles Community College have access to courses at Montana State University.
• We aren't going to produce more college graduates if the cost of college is beyond the reach of Montana families. When tuition increases because higher education isn't adequately funded, that's a tax on tens of thousands of working families across our state. My budget includes an agreement to freeze tuition across the university system. I urge you to honor it.

On Education: MT is dead last in investment in early childhood education

We can't expect the federally funded Head Start program to carry the entire burden. Some local communities have stepped in to make sure these youngsters are given a better chance.

As a first step, I urge this body to expand the proven "Stars to Quality Program" and make the long overdue investment in school readiness. I've laid out a plan that will create 100 more high-quality early childhood programs, getting 600 more families and 1,000 more children ready for school, annually. It's a proven high-return investment that will produce long-lived benefits for the students and our economy. And our commitment and investment must continue throughout their schooling.

On Government Reform: Dark money makes our elections into auctions

We have seen the rise of so-called "dark money" groups that target candidates, yet refuse to tell the voting public who they really are and what they really represent. They hide behind made-up names and made-up newspapers. They operate out of PO Boxes or Washington, D.C., office buildings.

Help me reform our laws, so that any organization spending money during the course of an election reveals the amount it spends and the source of its money. Together, let's guarantee that our elections will never be auctions, controlled by anonymous bidders.

On Health Care: Access Health Montana: increase coverage and access

Through Access Health Montana, we are proposing a made-in-Montana solution designed to increase coverage and access to health care for more Montana families. It will also create a patient-centered delivery system that focuses on coordinating care and improving health, rather than simply treating illness. Implementing these measures will allow us to better control and ultimately lower the costs of health care--slowing the annual rate hikes that hit all of our wallets.

On Homeland Security: Wrap-around services to reintegrate heroes to civilian life

That's why I asked this Legislature to invest in our university system and make certain that we are providing the services and the space to meet veterans' needs-- the wrap-around services that will reintegrate these heroes back into civilian life and on our college campuses. When I got back from the airport, I found out that, while I was gone, a legislative committee cut the funding for these critical services for returning vets. I urge you to restore these funds, live up to the promises we've made and welcome these warriors home with more than just words.

On Jobs: J.O.B.S. Bill: Jobs and Opportunity by Building Schools

We can invest some. I ask you to join me in prioritizing job creation, education and a more effective government. The first step you should take in creating jobs and investing in education is to put politics aside and pass the J.O.B.S. Bill. The quality of our workers attracts businesses to invest here. It's called the J.O.B.S. Bill, which stands for Jobs and Opportunity by Building Schools. We can take advantage of historically low interest rates and immediately create thousands of jobs across the state--and do it without raising taxes.

Stand with me and the over 2,500 construction workers we want to put to work building world class schools for our world class workforce. And while we are at it, let's make sure that those 2,500-plus construction workers newly employed by the J.O.B.S. Bill are our friends and neighbors.

On Jobs: Enforce that construction projects hire Montana residents

Let's work together to close these loopholes and expand this requirement to all projects--not just construction. And let's also significantly increase the proportion of Montana workers required on any state or locally funded project. I hope you will join me to pass this measure so we can put more money into the hands of Montana businesses and create more jobs for Montana workers.

On Local Issues: Full funding for Indian Country Economic Development

On Tax Reform: $400 personal rebate instead of $100M property tax cut

Giving $100 million back in the form of a tax rebate will return $400 to everyone with their primary residence in the state. If you take the $100 million and use it to cut property taxes, instead, the average Montana homeowner would receive just $44 this year, not $400. Think about that--it will take 10 years for the taxpayer to get as much money back as they'll get this year with the rebate.

Yet, if you are a company like PP&L, the proposed tax cut would reward you with over $1 million this year alone--23,000 times more than what the average homeowner would receive. If we consider who stands to benefit from our actions, the path we should take becomes clear.

On Technology: Put state government spending online, in searchable database

While there are some things I can accomplish without your active engagement and partnership, there are other areas where we need each other if we are going to make progress.

Crafting a budget is one of those areas where we need each other. Montana is the envy of other states: our unemployment is lower and our economy sounder. While nearly every other state's budget is awash in red ink, thanks to good fiscal management, Montana has amassed a half-billion-dollar budget surplus.