State of the State speeches this year have reflected a more stable fiscal and political environment for states. Unlike last year when the majority of states were seeing revenues come in below projections, most states this year have experienced modest growth in tax collections. Additionally, last year states were facing a high level of federal uncertainty that has now lessened with the two-year spending deal that increases spending caps for both defense and non-defense discretionary spending, and no repeal of the Affordable Care Act. While Congress did pass a tax reform bill that the President signed, the impact to individual states will largely be dependent on their own decisions regarding how closely to conform to the federal tax code. Although governors discussed a of policy proposals in their speeches, several issues received increased attention including workforce development and addressing the opioid crisis. Governors also highlighted initiatives in the areas of K-12, higher education, healthcare, corrections and public safety, and transportation.
Click here to read an overview and summaries of the 2018 State of the State addresses with links to the speeches. For summaries of prior years click here.