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 Governor Ted StricklandState of the State AddressColumbus, OhioMarch 14, 2007
 Living within our means. Investing in what matters.
Speaker Husted, President Harris, Leader Beatty and Leader Fedor, Lt. Governor Fisher andstatewide elected officials, members of the General Assembly and the Supreme Court,distinguished guests, First Lady Frances Strickland, and my fellow Ohioans...Let us begin these proceedings with a moment of silent reflection to honor the thousands of brave Ohioans who have served and are serving in the military, especially those who are inAfghanistan and Iraq, and those who have suffered injuries in these conflicts.Thank you.I am pleased to stand before you as the governor of the great state of Ohio.We may have come here today from flatlands or foothills, from the banks of great rivers or theshore of a Great Lake, from a quiet village or a bustling city. But even in its glorious differences,Ohio is one state, and we are one people.We love Ohio for all that it’s been. For all that it is. And for all that it can be if we work togetherfor the common good.So I ask you to join me in embracing the challenges before us.Join me in declaring an ambitious vision for our state.Join me in staking a claim on Ohio’s future.Let me tell you that the state of our state is resilient. The state of our state is full of promise.And, my friends, the people of our state are ready to reject the status quo. They are ready toembrace transformational changes that will bring even better days ahead.Ohio is the heart of our nation – with unique strengths in distribution and logistics andagriculture. Ohio is the heart of innovation – with world class universities, research hospitals,and a revolutionary commitment to new technology.There should be no doubt. Ohio can thrive and Ohioans can thrive. Our people and ourcompanies made the products of yesterday, and are making the products and providing theservices of tomorrow.1
 
But we must be open to new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking. The strategies andideologies of the 20
th
Century will not make us strong in the 21
st
Century. As a writer onceobserved, “The things that got us
here
will not get us
there
.”The priority of my administration is to keep and create jobs that grow from Ohio’s strengths andthat are worthy of Ohio’s workers.Ohio can take the lead in the national and international economies.And here’s just one example. Ohio has everything it takes to become a center of advancedenergy technology. We have energy resources, technical know-how, manufacturing experience,and logistical advantages.Next-generation energies – biofuels, fuel cells, clean coal, and renewable sources such as wind –offer us the opportunity to create jobs, support our farmers, reduce our dependence on foreign oilproducers, and be responsible stewards of our environment.That's why my administration will coordinate an almost 1 billion dollar investment in energyprograms, to ensure energy will be an economic development leader in Ohio.Over the next four years we will target 250 million dollars per year in tax exempt bond capallocation to leverage billions of additional investment dollars in energy projects. We willbroaden our Third Frontier investment. We will develop energy projects across technologies andacross the state, and in doing so attract new investments and new jobs for Ohio.Ohio will embrace new industries, new technologies, and a new economy. But our greateststrength will always be our people.That’s why I am seeking to expand and improve our job training programs. This can be donewithout any new dollars from our budget – by simply using funds available from the federalgovernment that have gone ignored.The Federal Government’s Workforce Investment Act helps states provide job training. We’re51
st
in making use of those funds.Those resources can be put to use to provide demand-driven job training. Training targetedtoward the jobs of the future, and available to meet the needs and fit the schedules of busyOhioans.Now we all believe in the importance of a good work ethic. It’s a crucial quality our youngpeople need to succeed in life. But, let’s be candid, it’s difficult to develop a good work ethicwithout work.Consequently, I’m proposing that the Department of Job and Family Services develop a grantprogram to encourage job training and job creation for young people in low incomecommunities.2
 
Participating employers will receive funds to support the training and wages of a youngemployee.In the process, we can reach thousands of young men and women. Helping them get their foot inthe door today and opening new doors for them in the future.Transforming Ohio’s economy will require a partnership.That’s why I have launched a new initiative called
 Advantage Ohio
, a top to bottom review of state regulations to eliminate contradictory and obsolete rules. In the process, we will make iteasier for companies to do business in Ohio while protecting the health and safety of our people.As we embrace new ideas, we must acknowledge that our budget situation makes the challengeswe face all the more daunting.There is belt tightening ahead and it’s not a pleasant thing to do…Especially when we’re alreadydealing with shortfalls.And so we face a choice.We can take the easy route. We can continue divvying up our shrinking resources and spreadingthem around so that everybody is mildly satisfied while nothing is actually accomplished.Or, we can make very tough choices. We can seek cuts, and savings where possible, enabling usto make meaningful investments which will lead to a transformed Ohio.My budget reflects tough choices.It’s a budget that does two things above all else. We live within our means. And we invest inwhat matters.For the biennium, under my budget, of the 18 cabinet departments that rely on general revenuefunds:2 departments will absorb a cut.9 departments will make do with funding that does not keep up with inflation.While the remaining 7 departments will receive reasonable budget increases.In the first year of my budget, general revenue spending will actually shrink, and over the twoyear span of the budget total spending will increase a modest 2.2 percent annually.That’s lower than the growth rate in House Bill 66. In fact, it’s lower than
any
budget in the last42 years.3
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