Southern Arizona Leadership CouncilSouthern Arizona Leadership Council

Throughout my career as a public servant -- A State Representative; a State Senator; a County Supervisor; your Secretary of State and now as your Governor, I've been committed to the principles of less government and more freedom.

I know you're committed to those things, too.

You and I understand that we must stop the budget spending spree, we must live within our means -- and we must live with a balanced budget.
When I took over as Governor, I faced a state budget deficit of nearly five billion dollars -- across two fiscal years -- and a federal government whose unfunded mandates and sweetheart deals were stealing Arizona's freedom and threatening to bankrupt our state.

Wholesale change was needed -- and -- the truth is -- in less than 600 days, WE'VE CHANGED EVERYTHING -- and, we've changed it for the BETTER.

We've changed the size of government.

We've changed the way government does business.

We've permanently reduced state general fund spending by over two point two billion dollars and the state employee count by more than 10 percent.

We developed a jobs agenda that includes four key elements: Regulatory and tax reform; developing a Governor's Jobs Team; restoring fiscal stability, and revamping the Department of Commerce.

-- My first official act as Governor was to issue a moratorium on rules, to reduce the regulatory burden on Arizona businesses. And, I've been calling for tax reform since March 2009.

We must establish a more friendly tax code to retain existing employers, attract new investment capital and create high wage, sustainable jobs.

We must reform the business property tax, which currently discourages high-paying manufacturing jobs because we overtax capital investment.

-- I launched a Jobs Action Team -- Commerce, State Land, the Departments of Environmental Quality and Revenue -- are all working together to cut through red tape -- and green tape -- and speed what has been a slow government process. When we get a company landed here, we get them up and operating quicker, and creating jobs sooner.

-- We've restored fiscal stability, balanced the budget, and passed Proposition 100, to protect education and public safety.

-- I established the Arizona Commerce Authority and a private-sector leadership board focused on growing and diversifying Arizona's economy and creating quality jobs -- including jobs in rural Arizona.

This new Authority is coordinating and integrating the efforts of key partners like Science Foundation Arizona -- our universities -- regional economic development groups -- and local communities -- all working together to secure success for the State of Arizona.

I've committed 10 million dollars to advance its mission through its approach to economic development.

Meanwhile, we've attracted over one billion dollars in new capital investment. AND, we've attracted NEW companies to Arizona -- creating over seven thousand new jobs for Arizonans. For example:

-- eBay announced its decision to expand its presence in Arizona,

-- Neptune Orient Lines moved here from Oakland, California -- and international shipments are being coordinated right here in the southwest -- the opportunities are incredible and businesses are recognizing it in new, innovative ways.
-- And later today, I'll be announcing an expansion project that will create much needed high quality jobs for the Tucson region.

-- Not long ago, we announced Spanish solar manufacturer Rioglass Solar will locate to Surprise and create jobs for Arizonans.

The company produces curved glass sheets used in solar technology, adding to the significant progress Arizona is making to become a global leader in the renewable energy sector.

In fact, Business Facilities magazine calls Arizona the "solar king" -- Number One for both solar manufacturing and the renewable energy industry …
-- China's Suntech Power Holdings
-- Germany's Solon
-- Canada's Linamar
-- Detroit's Tower Automotive
-- California's PowerOne
-- And, our own First Solar …

This is Arizona's growing solar industry.

While we've been showing that Arizona is a global leader in solar manufacturing, just yesterday we announced we are going to be a leader in solar GENERATION as well.

We announced that San Diego-based Sempra Generation, is going to build a 150 megawatt photovoltaic solar generation plant near Arlington -- making a capital investment of five hundred million dollars now -- with the anticipation of investing two billion dollars at full build out, when it will be one of the largest photovoltaic solar generation plants in North America!

Over the past year, we've announced many solar firms that have elected to invest in Arizona.

These things didn't just happen. They didn't just fall from the sky.

This is a result of the vision, strategies and environment I created through the Arizona Commerce Authority -- advancing our state to a level of success few could have imagined when I took office not so long ago.

Ultimately, this is about diversifying our economy -- exporting our greatest natural resource to secure billions of dollars in capital investment and jobs for Arizona.

At the same time, I'm ever mindful of the role education plays in job creation and sustaining the Arizona Comeback.

If we're going to build the economy for Arizona's second century, we must today begin preparing students and expect them to reach high academic standards.

To that end, we've enacted some of the most sweeping reforms in education that the state has seen.

We're making sure the teachers -- to whom we trust our children's education -- are, in fact, helping them learn, in every classroom, every year.

We're asking more of the students themselves, with new academic standards and increased requirements in math and science.

Our universities also play an important role both in educating and preparing students and in innovating and growing our economy.

First, of course, in order for our state to be competitive as a location for companies and to propel growth, we need to increase the number of Arizonans with a college degree.

One of my first directives to the higher education system when I became Governor was to increase the number of college graduates -- and to do it in a more cost effective way.

From my first days in office as Governor, I've been demanding that the Obama administration fulfill ITS OWN security responsibilities to the citizens of our state:

-- Secure our southern border, enhance the rule of law, and protect Arizonans -- and ALL Americans -- from violence committed by organized crime syndicates, out-of-control drug cartels, violent human smugglers, and common criminals.

Legislation I signed into law -- Senate Bill 1070 -- supported by statewide law enforcement organizations -- and the vast majority of Arizonans -- simply provides local sworn officers the same legal tools provided to federal authorities and their local law enforcement partners for many years.

I reject the Obama administration's notion that Arizona's border security is better than ever.

The only thing that MIGHT be better than ever is the quality of the new signs the federal government put up … warning signs on lands INSIDE our state, some as close as 30 miles to Phoenix, telling our own CITIZENS to keep out!

That's not protection, that's SURRENDER!

What is the height of hypocrisy is that my opponent -- and the entire Democrat ticket -- have been endorsed and supported by the very same union, the Service Employees International Union -- which is leading the boycott of Arizona.

Their mission is to HURT Arizona -- to kill Arizona jobs.

So, tell me, how can anyone credibly create jobs in Arizona when one of his principle supporters is sponsoring the economic boycott of Arizona?

And, simply put, it is downright OFFENSIVE that the Obama State Department included the State of Arizona and SB 1070 in a report to the United Nations Council on Human Rights.

Council members include such renowned human rights "champions" as Cuba and Libya.

Think about it.

Our own American government is submitting the duly enacted laws of Arizona for "review" by the United Nations.

So, we've been forced to act on our own -- to defend our own safety and security.

I'm also fighting ObamaCare and the eleven billion dollars it will cost Arizona over the next decade.

Health Care regulation is a power reserved to the STATES by the 10th Amendment. Congress has OVERREACHED by REQUIRING individuals to purchase health insurance -- and penalizing them if they don't.

We've joined this lawsuit because the issue is just too important for our State to sit back and do nothing.

We've joined this lawsuit because the issue is just too important for our State to sit back and do nothing.

I want to create jobs; not kill them.

I'm working for jobs and the people of Arizona -- and the right for the truth to be heard, always.

So, to all of you job creators -- I say THANK YOU -- thank you -- for setting Arizona back on the road to prosperity.

We've come so far in the last 600 days. We've changed everything …

Arizona is moving again.

I believe our state has been revived.

I believe it has been renewed.

I believe faith in OURSELVES has been restored.

So, I appreciate the opportunity to share some thoughts with you this morning, and I look forward to working with you in the challenging -- and rewarding -- days ahead.

God bless you and your families, and may God bless the great state of Arizona. Thank you.

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