Below are a few proposals from Governor Napolitano’s State of the State address given to the opening session of the Legislature on Jan. 10:

Water

Ms. Napolitano urged lawmakers to back increased monitoring of water conditions, more state assistance for rural communities’ planning, establishment of a “virtual water university” to demonstrate innovations and a push for all communities to adopt long-term conservation plans. She also said that recent rains haven’t reduced the need for action on long-term supply issues and that she’ll fight for Arizona to get its “fair share” of Colorado River water.

Taxes-Economy

Ms. Napolitano says changes are needed to make Arizona more competitive for new jobs. She said she will offer a package that includes expanding a research and development tax credit for businesses that partner with public universities, phasing out a tax on small businesses’ equipment and providing tax relief for manufacturers for sales outside Arizona. She also called for adoption of principles for tax exemptions.

Education

She wants to continue a five-year phase-in of state funding for all-day kindergarten, a Ms. Napolitano initiative that won legislative approval in 2004. The state launched the initiative with funding for 10,000 students, and Ms. Napolitano said she wants to add funding for another group of 10,000 students. She also said the state should double its financial aid for university and college students, exempt special-education students from the requirement to pass the AIMS test to get a diploma and provide initial funding for a new University of Arizona medical school in Phoenix in conjunction with Arizona State University programs.

Trust Land

Ms. Napolitano asked the Legislature to let voters decide on steps to make state trust land produce more money for public schools. She said a package proposed last year by developers, conservationists, education groups and others is a “good place to start” and that there needs to be a balance between development, preservation of open space and income for schools. Voter approval is needed to amend the Arizona Constitution.

Veterans

Arizona has a state home in Phoenix for military veterans, and Ms. Napolitano called for beginning construction of one in southern Arizona. She also called for acquisition of land for a veterans cemetery in northern Arizona. In addition, she called for support for public-private partnerships that help create places for veterans “to live, to heal and to find work.” —