Republican legislative leaders said they were encouraged by Governor Napolitano’s embrace of some conservative principles in her State of the State address, but they criticized other parts of her agenda as too costly.

Ms. Napolitano urged lawmakers on the 47th Legislature’s opening day Jan. 10 to expand all-day kindergarten and take steps aimed at improving water planning, but it was her calls for tax breaks for business and fiscal responsibility that drew nods of approval from Republicans.

Here are some reactions from leaders and Capitol policy watchers:

“It was really encouraging that the governor put some Republican and conservative measures forth. I’m a little concerned when you say that we have a balanced budget when we really don’t.” — House Speaker Jim Weiers

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“We’re checking to see if she has re-registered as a Republican yet. She certainly is embracing a lot of things that we think are important for this state — balancing the budget, eliminating the structural deficit. Unfortunately, those terms were used as though they had been done already…” — Senate President Ken Bennett

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“Half of it I agreed with. You could probably get her to join the Republican Party if that were what she truly believed.” — Sen. Ron Gould

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“Private property is a fundamental right. Protecting it should be a priority.” — Mark Brnovich, director of the Goldwater Institute Center for Constitutional Government, who noted the governor’s concern for protecting state lands but lamented the lack of discussion of private lands, which he says in Arizona are under threat of eminent domain abuse and increasing regulation.

— Compiled from Arizona Capitol Times and Associated Press reports