Here are highlights of Gov. Janet Napolitano’s 43-minute State of the State address Jan. 8, her fifth since becoming governor in January 2003.
Education: “The heart” of her plan. Raise the minimum dropout age to 18 from 16. Increase the state requirement for high school math to four years from current two. Increase teacher pay and training, with special incentives for teachers in targeted specialties. Modernize school buildings. Accelerate release of AIMS test scores.
Transportation: Refinance bonds to provide $400 million above current spending for transportation work to relieve traffic congestion. Department of Transportation to provide list of transit options, including commuter rail and light rail.
Growth: Expand local governments’ powers to restrict development in areas without assured water supplies. Develop implementation plan for a new “smart growth and development process” and require local governments to participate in the process to be eligible for discretionary spending, including proposed new transportation dollars.
Health care: Expand eligibility for government-subsidized health insurance for children. Help doctors relocate to Arizona. Increase funding for medical education.
Environment: Require projects on state property to include pollution reductions. Urban trust land previously designated for conservation as open space under a since-scrapped program would not be sold for non-conservation reasons without local consent. State purchase preferences for heavy equipment using newer clean fuel technologies.